By LaTricia Woods, Public Information Officer, Maricopa

“No matter how big and powerful government gets, and the many services it provides, it can never take the place of volunteers.” ~ Ronald Reagan

This quote best conveys the need for volunteers in our society, especially for municipalities. Each year, cities are asked to do more – provide more services, add more programs – with the same or even diminished budgets. As populations continue to grow, the number of requests for services and programs becomes greater and the demand more urgent.

Cities look to volunteers to assist the municipality in numerous ways. From serving on citizen advisory boards, commissions and committees to staffing booths at special events and everything thing in between, volunteers share their time, expertise and resources to the benefit of the community at large.
In the city of Maricopa, volunteers have been vital to the organization meeting the needs of our fast-growing community. Between 2000 and 2010, Maricopa experienced an astounding 4,081 percent population increase. With that increase came an immediate ramp up of services and programs that not only made the community safer, but enhanced the quality of life for residents.

One of the city’s most successful volunteer programs is Volunteers in Police Service (VIPs). Since its inception in 2007, the program has grown from 12 volunteers to more than 100 and that number continues to rise. Volunteers assist in a variety of areas including victims’ assistance, administration and recruitment. They serve as members of the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT), Citizens on Patrol and Park Rangers. As the largest VIPs organization in small cities throughout southern Arizona, Maricopa’s police volunteers have provided more than 19,500 hours of service in 2012 alone. While their service in 2012 saved the organization more than $400,000, the value of their contributions is priceless.

Although this is just one example of a successful city volunteer program, there are more throughout the organization. Each program and volunteer is greatly appreciated. Volunteers truly make Maricopa a great place to live, work and play.