Love of the beach and all things that dwell there have led Cynthia Hartley on a journey up the watershed. Learning that healthy beaches require healthy watersheds inspired her to serve on the Ventura Surfrider executive committee and create award-winning educational maps highlighting problems and solutions in Ventura's watershed. As chair of the chapter's Ocean Friendly Gardens program, she helped bring an education series to the county that teaches homeowners about urban runoff and shows them how to change landscaping practices. Hartley is currently working with local volunteers and agencies to expand the program countywide and help influence policy change. "My work is helping educate people about local watershed issues," Hartley says. "But the true payoff will be the benefit to future generations as the collective understanding of watershed preservation grows, practices change and public policy adapts."

Chemistry, biology, physics, pre-calculus, trigonometry, geometry – these can be daunting subjects, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Yet Thomas Mullen-Hevey has a special knack for inspiring all young people to succeed. As a tutor and chemistry workshop leader for College Track, Mullen-Hevey offers these topics a refreshing twist. "Part of what makes volunteering at College Track so rewarding is seeing the difference you can make in the life of one student at a time," he says. "It's powerful to watch them take on the rigors of my tutoring sessions and see their excitement about their improved grade reports. I have watched many of these students transform from indifferent teenagers to thinking and caring adults." And college-bound adults, at that. Mullen-Hevey also helps the students navigate the financial aid process, letters of recommendation, personal statements and how to choose the right college.

An economic meltdown, political instability and high HIV/AIDS rates have resulted in extreme poverty and millions of orphans in rural Zimbabwe. Through the fundraising work and outreach of Munhu Inc., however, some villagers now have access to microloans for small businesses, and many children receive a good education. Martha Mutomba serves on Munhu's board, raises funds, recruits volunteers, arranges payments for school tuition, uniforms and supplies and even collects and ships donated clothes, blankets, toys and over-the-counter medications to villagers. She also evaluates the villagers' income-generating project proposals. Mutomba knows firsthand the program's importance. She was born and raised in a small village in Zimbabwe and she, too, benefited from donations and scholarships. "These children realize this as an opportunity for their dreams to come true," Mutomba says. "They talk of giving back to their communities once they succeed. I can relate to their dreams. I was once in their shoes, and I am now living my dream."

From participation on the Board as a business advisor to building and painting sets, directing, producing and performing in shows, Deidre Parmenter fills several key roles for the Conejo Players Theatre. Among her favorite contributions – an educational outreach program she helped create that welcomes about 300 children from Title 1 schools to special showings at no charge. She also helped grow the Conejo Players Children's Theatre. "I began volunteering out of a love of theatre," Parmenter says. "I stay because I see a difference in the youth who come through our programs. I have seen scared, insecure children grow stronger with each involvement and turn into confident young people with poise and commitment. Play production is a fantastic venue for teaching teamwork and delayed gratification and that hard work pays off."

Cancer never sleeps, so why should we? That's the idea behind the American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life. Team members like Vanessa Willems take turns walking around a track for an entire 24-hour period, honoring those who fight – and who have fought – a brave battle against cancer. The walk raises funds for cancer research, patient care, prevention education and survivor programs. Since joining the fight against cancer in 2003, Willems has become increasingly involved with the ACS Relay for Life of Thousand Oaks, ultimately joining the Event Steering Committee and becoming the 2011 Event Chairperson. With many of her own family members and friends affected by cancer, hearing the benefits of Relay for Life from local community cancer survivors and patients is what brings Willems back year after year. "Relay for Life is such an inspirational event, I can't stop volunteering!"

Thanks to Kevin Tolley's design, construction, maintenance and repair skills, the World Of Wonder! Children's Museum has a steady supply of new exhibit displays, and every room of the museum operates at its best. Children from all economic backgrounds are able to visit the museum as a result of Tolley's ongoing fundraising and outreach efforts. "The museum's focus on art and science exhibits and programming supports early childhood development and provides a valuable supplement for elementary education," Tolley says. "I am consistently amazed by the creative and inspirational ways that children find to learn while visiting the museum." Tolley is included in the museum's Priceless Board, an honor given only to the most dedicated volunteers.

When the FIRST World Robotics Competition rolls around, there's no doubt that Kentucky's Engineers of Tomorrow high school team is prepared and ready, especially with competition coach David Echsner offering guidance. Echsner, with the help of local engineers, helps students design, build and program a 120 pound robot for competition in just six weeks. The team is part of the Kentucky Engineering Foundation, which inspires students to pursue advanced studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Echsner's participation has attracted an increasing number of participants. Louisville alone has so many teams now that Echsner had to create a regional qualifying tournament for middle schools to determine which teams should go on to the state-level FIRST competition. "I love to see young, shy students learn communication skills and how to interact in a group setting," Echsner says. "This competition is exciting to watch and very intellectually stimulating, as well."

Every Monday at 5 p.m., you'll find Stefan McDonough at Squashbusters where he spends the next two hours, long-handled racquet in hand, coaching Boston public school seventh grade and high school students how to play squash. Along with the much-needed physical exercise, this after-school program includes time for homework and academic tutoring, as well. "Squashbusters teaches effort, sportsmanship, community involvement, teamwork and discipline," McDonough says. "A well-thwacked squash ball takes a kid immediately from disdainful indifference to engaged enthusiasm." And, evidently, to more opportunities. Many Squashbusters alumni now play for NCAA teams, and about 30 have earned scholarships to private prep schools. McDonough also chaperones field trips and will be a guest speaker in the group's career unit, talking about his experiences in genomics. He was recently honored with a special Squashbusters recognition award.

Cancer patients in Puerto Rico are receiving much-needed support thanks to the American Cancer Society – the Central East Unit, in particular. Wilma Suliveras Ortiz is an avid volunteer, most recently serving as the unit's operational board president. She helps coordinate Walk for a Cause, Relay for Life (she served as team captain), Path of Smiles and numerous other fund- and awareness-raising programs. "For me, the most important thing is to help patients with cancer and provide them all the information they need to have a quality life," Suliveras Ortiz says. "Amgen produces medicines for cancer patients. I'm proud to be a part of that and to let patients know that I am personally here for them, too."

When Erin Tetreault's friend Julie Porzio lost her battle against cancer, Erin picked up the banner for Friends of Julie, a non-profit organization Julie started with her husband and daughter. The Friends of Julie Fund provides memory-making experiences for parents who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer, allowing them to spend quality time with their families - something Julie found to be invaluable with her own family. "I witnessed firsthand what it meant to my friend Julie to be able to make memories with her husband and child before she passed away," Tetreault said. "It is a gift to both the terminal patient and to the family - the value of which cannot be underestimated." Not your typical volunteer, Tetreault uses her background and education in marketing and graphic design to help Friends of Julie. She handles the organization's marketing strategy and implementation, from writing, graphic design, and social media to advertising, branding, web administration, fundraising and events.

One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Leaving a violent home can be dangerous and frightening, and isn't always possible. And when children are involved, the abuser will almost always continue to be a part of their lives. Through the Children's Program at the Eastside Domestic Violence Program, co-facilitator Christine Salstrom has worked with dozens of children and their mothers, helping them express their feelings about their families and experiences, and teaching coping skills through play and social interaction. She has also answered many crisis line calls. "I'm proud to help the mothers lead safer lives," Salstrom says. "And I enjoy being there as children slowly emerge from a shell of fear to learn how to play and interact with one another."