“A million and three!” That’s how many cardboard boxes longtime volunteer Jim McGraw jokingly guesses that he’s broken down during his 29 years volunteering at the KCMO Recycling Drop-off Centers, managed by Bridging The Gap. Jim has volunteered more than 800 hours since 2012!
We chatted with Jim during one of his recent volunteer shifts at the Red Bridge Recycling Center:
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Jim!
A: I live in Raytown. Currently I’m retired, but prior to my retirement I worked in the mental health and counseling field. When we moved to the Kansas City area in 1993, I started working at Longview Community College as a college counselor, and then I taught some courses in various colleges in the area.
Q: How long have you been volunteering with Bridging The Gap?
A: The first time I started volunteering with Bridging The Gap it was at the old Joe Herndon site probably in about 1995. It was on 350 Highway and Raytown Road. When we first moved here to Kansas City from the Twin Cities area, we were surprised that there wasn’t curbside recycling. We heard about BTG and began to use it [the centers] immediately, because it truly “bridged the gap” if you will. So, very happy to learn about BTG and learn more about its inclusive and holistic services.
Jim has been a regular volunteer at the recycling centers for almost 30 years.
Q: Why do you volunteer with BTG?
A: I definitely believe in environmental causes for sure. Secondly, I simply enjoy it. It’s a really positive place to be. The people that come in here – the patrons and the staff members – really want to do the right thing, so it’s really uplifting frankly in our stressful world in which sometimes it can seem kind of apocalyptic about what’s going on in the world. So to be able to take tangible, concrete action to make a little bit of a difference is really a positive thing to do.
Q: How often do you volunteer with us?
A: I volunteer at the recycling centers for a couple of hours once a week. I’ve also helped in other places – like I’ve done things like seed collection in Swope Park and litter cleanups. A long time ago I did some education and outreach when BTG was doing the 5 Green Things program. If there are other needs and other events, like the Girls on the Run 5K that BTG supports with recycling, I’ll assist with that on an as-needed basis.
Q: What have you learned about people while volunteering?
A: It’s been very gratifying and very affirming that I’m going to say 95% plus of people want to make a difference, want to do the right thing, and they’re very appreciative of the fact that there’s a recycling center here. Of course, there are some people who are a little bit frustrated, because they can’t recycle the stuff they want to recycle like wood or other items like that, but by and large, people are overwhelmingly positive and friendly and want to help and they are really tickled to hear about Bridging The Gap.
Q: You talked about having a passion for the environment. What are you most passionate about when it comes to the environment?
A: I’ve also volunteered for Citizens Climate Lobby, which looks at alternatives to fossil fuel use. I believe in reducing consumption and living simply. I’m a vegetarian, not to be too virtuous signaling or preachy, but I think that makes a difference.
Q: What is your call to action for others?
A: Going back to my career in mental health and counseling – the research on what makes people happy is pretty clear, and I think a lot of people know this intuitively, but it’s things like social engagement, exercise, meaning, gratification. For anyone who is thinking about volunteering but they just need a little bit of a nudge, I would encourage them to come out and volunteer at a recycling center, maybe to start, because you do get to be around positive people. You do get to feel like you’re making a meaningful difference in a real concrete, hands-on way. You do get a little bit of exercise, and the people here are incredibly nice and supportive. It’s a great thing to do, it’s habit-forming and you can find your own niche – whether it’s going out to Swope Park to collect seeds or do WildLands restoration, to pick up litter or recycle. So I would just say give it a try – do it!
Bridging The Gap has year-round volunteer opportunities! Check out our calendar to explore current opportunities and sign up.
As part of his volunteer role, Jim helps patrons sort their recycling at the Red Bridge Recycling Center.
