Accountant by day, charity bar manager by night; Texas Swing ‘09 Volunteer Spotlight.

The sawdust has finally settled on the dance floor and most auction items have been picked up from our office. Now we turn to our thank you’s, honoring the community for the support that made Texas Swing possible.

As I closed out my part of Texas Swing I noticed the continued engagement of a particular volunteer who has managed the bars for many of our events and has been volunteering with Project Transitions for more than six years. Kristina Arce is an accountant by day and multi-tasking bar manager by night for Holiday Swing and Texas Swing. We are tremendously grateful for her continued involvement and interviewed her to share her volunteering story:

Project Transitions: How did you get involved initially?

Kristina Arce: I saw an ad on TV for Holiday Swing, and it indicated that there was a need for volunteers. …I wanted to get involved with an organization that helped those with HIV/AIDS, and it was so great to have that ad pop up.  When I was about ten or so my family found out that my step brother, Warren, had AIDS.  It came on really quickly, as happened back in the 80’s.  He lived with us, and we cared for him as much as we could.  After a point, he became blind and would get very sick from the medications he was on, and began to experience bouts of dementia.  [Eventually he entered] a hospice here in Austin.  We were living in San Antonio at the time. When I was a freshman in high school, my brother lost his battle with the disease. He was, from what I can remember, barely 30. He and I also, coincidently, shared a birthday.  We were quite close, for not being blood related.

PT: Have you seen the agency change over the course of your volunteering with us?

KA: I have seen an increasing amount of volunteer participation. Especially young people.  I also find it nice to see the media involved.  I was at a [Doug's House] clean-up a couple of years back and there were news crews and staff from News 8 there to help.

PT: What are some highlights of your volunteer work with Project Transitions? Any low points?

KA: Mainly, the fun of the job. The people I get to work with are amazing.  Janice Morgan is one of those wonderful people.  I really enjoyed some Swing events, a couple year’s back, when we were so slammed at the bars I had to step in and help my crew.  I got sweaty and dirty, but it was so worth it.  It meant that there was a crowd, which meant that there was money to be given to PT.

Also, working that clean up at Doug’s House was a great experience.  Realizing that people depend on volunteers to make their remaining days pleasant and full, and realizing the great joy it brings to said volunteers, is fantastic.

The only low points are when we don’t get enough volunteers for events.  Or when turnout at the events aren’t what we expected.  Those are the times when it can be tough.

PT: What does volunteering give back to you?

KA: I just love doing for others.  I am a Christian, and believe in doing for my fellow man.  I once heard that doing good works doesn’t make you a Christian, but being a Christian leads to good works.  The love of people and the belief in the innate good in us all drives me to try and do all I can to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives and hearts. I’m also a very Type A personality.  I can’t sit still for too long.  What better way to use my free time, the little that I have, to do something positive.  I currently work full-time, and am in graduate school, along with my other church activities.  I still try to do what I can for PT.  It may only be a couple events a year now, but I do what I can.

PT: Finally, any particularly funny/memorable moments you’d like to share?

KA: There was one TGRA Golf Tournament I was volunteering at and I was riding in a cart with one of the TGRA members to fill up the beverage containers at the holes.  I was giving directions and said that we needed to go “straight down this way.”  I was then told “I can go forward, but I don’t go straight.”  I just cracked up laughing.

Most of the events that I work are memorable.  But another particular memory was when my mom and I did the AIDS Walk in Austin together for PT.

Kristina, thank you for your 6+ years of assisting this agency and the clients we serve. We are lucky to have you on board and grateful to you for all your help.