Volunteering with DMF
- Steven Schuknecht | Stratford Court
My wife and I moved to Del Mar at the beginning of 2023 after being in greater San Diego for 8 years, and we fell in love. The friendliness on the streets, the lively local events, the fantastic restaurants, and—of course—that stunning beach won us over in no time.
I was eager to get more involved in the community and, truth be told, find something to fill my free time a bit. Our work schedules couldn’t be more opposite: I spend my days as a financial advisor, while she teaches at—and owns—her kids’ dance studio in the evenings and on weekends. So, like most folks, I turned to the internet, searching for groups or activities that sparked my interest. That’s when I stumbled upon the Del Mar Foundation. What really caught my eye was the sheer variety of events and community projects they support—there’s truly something for everyone, no matter your passions.
After a bit of back-and-forth, I signed up to volunteer at a “DMF Talk,” and the rest, as they say, is history. My volunteering experience up to that point was pretty typical: I’d only stepped up when I was volun-told, usually with a nudge from family or friends.
At first, I worried it might be short-lived because of that background. But I was so wrong. What hooked me—and keeps me coming back to help with the organization—is the people. Cliché, I know, but it’s true. It’s not just the wonderful volunteers and board members I collaborate with on event setup and planning, but the entire Del Mar community as well.
I’ve grown to love pitching in at these events and meeting so many of you along the way. From watching families and little ones light up at the summer picnic or during trick-or-treating, to chatting with so many long-term residents over a couple of glasses of wine and listening to a fascinating lecture at a DMF Talk. If you haven’t joined us at an event yet, I encourage you to give one a try and see for yourself. And if it inspires you, why not volunteer? I look forward to meeting you at the next one, and I know the rest of the Del Mar Foundation does too!
