Posted on Sep 23, 2013 in
FOCUS CARES
Evelyn Traylor
Evelyn Traylor didn’t set out to volunteer at so many different organizations. When she began volunteering fifteen years ago, she was only looking to work with other “strong, committed people” like herself, and maybe, just maybe, make a difference in someone’s life.
“It didn’t start out all at once,” Traylor said. “I have always wanted to help where I can, and it became more and more important to me over the years.”
Now, a decade and a half later, Traylor volunteers for a number of different organizations in the Fort Bend area, including the Exchange Club of Fort Bend, Fort Bend Cares, the Fort Bend County Women’s Center and the Fort Bend Rainbow Room.
According to Traylor, she’s typically drawn to organizations which place emphasis on helping women and children. At the Exchange Club of Fort Bend, an all-volunteer service organization dedicated to improving local communities, she speaks to middle school and high school students regarding child abuse prevention in hopes to “reach children younger” so that the “pattern of child abuse will be prevented.” Additionally, at the Women’s Center, she works with women and children who have been affected by domestic violence, noting that she feels it’s “very important to help other women do what they need to do to get back on their feet.” Both Fort Bend Cares and the Rainbow Room are dedicated to helping women and children as well. Fort Bend Cares provides funds to organizations dedicated to providing services to disadvantaged children and families; the Rainbow Room provides resources to children and adults who have been abused or neglected.
Although her specific role varies from organization to organization, Traylor has been involved with the fundraising side of each organization throughout the years, helping each group raise the funds “needed for the organizations to operate.” At the Women’s Center, she helps organize and work events, including “Boogie,” the center’s largest annual fundraiser. At the Rainbow Room, she helps with a number of annual fundraising events, including the Back to School Supply and Uniform Drive and the annual Christmas project, as well as the organization’s golf tournament. She has also worked on committees to raise funds for Fort Bend Cares.
“I feel that it’s so important for organizations to have the funds they need to do what they do on a daily basis, and to help the people they serve,” she said.
Regardless of what organization she’s volunteering for, Traylor says the satisfaction gained is always the same. “The ultimate reward is seeing what the fundraising or volunteer time can do for each organization,” she said. “Whether at the Women’s Center or working with children, the work may be changing the world. Maybe someone won’t abuse a child if they have classes when they’re young. You’re actually making the world a better place. No person can do it all. If we all work together, we can make the community a better place.”
For additional volunteer opportunities in Fort Bend County, visit www.VolunteerFortBend.org or call Volunteer Fort Bend at 713-965-0031.
