Here at KVMR we have volunteers doing all kinds of things, ranging from broadcasting to envelope stuffing to cutting down trees around our antenna on Banner Mountain. But rarely do we have one volunteer who does just about everything. Tammy Rust is one of those volunteers who is unstoppable. And though she hasn't played lumberjack yet out at the antenna, she volunteers for us in a multitude of ways.

Johnny Gallagher may be a traveling man at heart, but since beginning to volunteer at KVMR in December of 2006 he has managed to spend enough time here that he has become a regular and counted on member of our volunteer community. He leaves every once in a while for a month or two, but he always comes back with photos and stories of some great adventure that he's had, be it Thailand, Costa Rica, or most recently the American Southwest.

Johnny is also a music lover, which is what got him here in the first place. After retiring to the area a couple of years ago, Johnny managed to get involved volunteering for the California World Fest, which led him to volunteer at KVMR's Celtic Festival, and well, the rest is kind of history. In addition he happened to meet Mellon, another fabulous KVMR volunteer, who regaled him with tales of how wonderful her volunteer experience was. Johnny got involved helping out in the Music Department, where he has been able to broaden his musical palate while helping out. In addition, he helps out in our front office, with membership drives, and at various events. And, like so many who are drawn into the KVMR family, he is currently pursuing his broadcaster certification, having completed the most recent broadcaster training class.

Johnny is a San Francisco native...he grew up there, graduated from San Francisco State with a degree in Recreation Administration, and then worked for 30 years for San Francisco Parks and Rec as a Recreation Director, working in neighborhood parks directing programs for youth. He had the opportunity to work with lots of volunteers throughout his career, so becoming a volunteer himself is really the next logical progression in his life as a public servant.

Though he hasn't lived in the area for long, Johnny's connection with the foothills and the North Yuba goes way back. For the past 35 years he has been coming to the North Yuba for extended camping trips (hasn't missed a year!), and he knows the area like the back of his hand. The trips have evolved over the years...what may have started out as raucous outings with his buddies soon evolved to include Stacy, his wife of 23 years and his kids, who even though grown and on their own still maintain their own connection with the North Yuba.

Lately Johnny has been reveling in his role as a new grampa to Dylan, born to his youngest daughter Jenny and her husband Bill in San Francisco. He also has a son Patrick in San Francisco who shares John's love of reggae music and the North Yuba River. We are pleased that Johnny has chosen to become part of the family here at KVMR, because we just like having him around. The fact that he helps out in so many ways and does it all with a cheerfulness and warmth that are contagious just adds to the pleasure. Thanks Johnny for all that you do!

By Edy Cassell, KVMR's Volunteer Coordinator