About Us

The Volunteer Center is a secular, non-political organization dedicated to encouraging the broader community to join together to identify issues and work together toward (better) solutions. We aim to serve as the connection between local organizations looking for volunteers and motivated individuals with the time, energy and expertise to support community projects.

Our vision is to remind us all to embrace and expand a sense of community with the understanding that community is not a place on the map. 

It's how we treat one another - how we respect, value, validate, and empower each person to engage and be their best.

“Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole nature in its beauty. Only a life lived for others is worth living.”

— Albert Einstein

Meet the Board

  • Martha Mae "Marti" Crane

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Valley Springs, CA February 1992

    * Volunteer Center: Executive Director (2002 to present)

    * Former Volunteer Driver

    * Escrow Officer - (20 years) – Retired

    * Senior Network of Calaveras County – Member

    * Valley Springs Youth and Family Center: Past Board President/ Board Secretary,

    * New Facility Acquisition & Development

    * Valley Springs Optimist Club: Event Coordinator, Club Secretary, Past Co-Chair

    * Support of the Arts and Community: Annual Melodrama fundraiser for the Valley Springs Library, Master Gardener program (University of California Extension), Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program (County Office of Education), annual Follies fundraiser for Youth Mentoring program, Community / Youth Theater (Valley Springs Youth Center), “Santa’s Express” (The Resource Connection)

    * Red Cross Volunteer, trainer, Calaveras Facilities and Maintenance Site Coordinator

    * Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Volunteer

    * In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee

  • Mary Ash

    PRESIDENT

    Volunteer Center: Former Volunteer Driver, past Vice President

    * Volunteer Center: Former Volunteer Driver, past Vice President

    * Optimist Club: Treasurer

    * Calaveras Mental Health Advisory Committee

    * Ohio: Program Administrator – Drop-In Center for those dealing with Mental and Physical disabilities – 8 years

  • Janice Bassett

    RECORDING SECRETARY

    * Valley Springs, CA October 2017

    * Volunteer Center – member since _______

    * Valley Springs Youth and Family Center: Board member secretary and event

       coordinator/planner – 2011 – 2016.  Executive Director - 5 years

    * Superior Court, Court Room Clerk, Santa Cruz (19 years)

    * SEIU Chapter President - 2 years,  Member Organizer - 2 years

    * Wallace/Burson Association – Former member

    * Tri-Dam Lions Club – Member (May 2024 – present)

    * Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program, former mentor

    * Poet and ukelele player

    * Exchange Student host

  • Melinda Williams, Personnel Liaison

    * San Andreas since 1952.

    * Founding Board Member 1992 to present

    * Calaveras Enterprise, Office Manager 1962-1968,

    * Calaveras Public Utility District 1968-1999 (Retired)

    * Reach for Recovery for 25 years (Licensed fitter & support for Cancer patients )

  • Judy McMurtry, Board Member

    * Mountain Ranch, CA October 2012

    * Prior Owner: Calaveras County KCFA Radio Station 106.1 FM

    * Advocate & Support: ARC and Goldstrike Residence

                   supporting adults with learning disabilities (2 years)

    * Volunteer Sheriff Department: (2011 to present)

    * Public Access TV: Show Host & Program Anchor

    * Resource Connection Food Bank

    * Women's Jail Ministry (2011 to present)

    * Former Volunteer Driver

    * Former Driver Program Co-Coordinator

  • Kathleen Tachella

    * Valley Springs, CA since 2017

    * Grew up in Pleasant Hill

    * Graduated University of San Francisco

    * Stockbroker, Fremont, CA (10 years)

    * Teacher (San Joaquin County – Linden and Stockton Unified (1990-2014)

    * Member – Volunteer Center board (2023 – present)

    * Married to Phil for 50 years as of 2024 and Mother to 6 grown, successful and

       established children

Volunteer Today!