Email Subject: BCHD MAY Volunteer News
Reply to Address: volunteers@bchd.org
Finding Purpose Through Community: A Volunteer Spotlight on Kathryn Christensen
By Clarissa Bautista, Communications Intern
For many people, volunteering begins as a way to give back. But for longtime Beach Cities Health District volunteer Kathryn Christensen, it became something much deeper: a pathway toward purpose, connection, and building a meaningful new chapter in life.
After moving from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach over a decade ago, Kathryn found herself searching for more than just a change in scenery. She was looking for a healthier, more connected lifestyle and a stronger sense of community.
“I really was putting out there that I wanted to live in a place that was healthy and light and bright,” she shared. “A place where people walk their dogs and people are friendly.”
Not long after settling into the South Bay, Kathryn discovered BCHD through one of its printed newsletters — something she still believes played an important role in helping new residents learn about the organization’s mission and opportunities. That introduction sparked years of involvement that would eventually shape both her personal life and her sense of purpose.
Since first volunteering, Kathryn has contributed to BCHD in many ways. She became deeply involved with the organization’s Event Ambassador program, a volunteer leadership group that helps support BCHD events, welcome attendees, provide feedback, and assist staff in creating engaging experiences for the community.
“I’m a creative problem solver,” Kathryn said. “I like to look at things and see how we can make them better.”
Over the years, she has volunteered at wellness events, supported community fitness programs such as yoga and Zumba, participated in school wellness initiatives, and connected with residents of all ages throughout the Beach Cities.
One of the experiences that impacted her most was becoming involved in BCHD’s Moai program — social groups inspired by the Okinawan tradition of building strong community through shared interests and meaningful relationships. Through walking Moais, Kathryn formed lasting friendships while spending time outdoors along the South Bay coastline.
“We’ll walk along the Esplanade and see dolphins jumping out of the water,” she said, people are walking their dogs, running, sitting and eating lunch by the ocean. Every time we walk, we say how blessed we are to have this experience.”
Throughout the interview, one theme consistently stood out: the importance of human connection.
Kathryn spoke passionately about volunteering not simply as a way to help others, but as an opportunity to cultivate friendships, support the community, and create joy in everyday life. She reflected on how BCHD’s programs — especially Purpose Workshops and Moais — helped her navigate a major life transition while discovering what truly fulfilled her.
At the time, she was reevaluating both her career and personal life. Through BCHD’s workshops and volunteer experiences, she began thinking more intentionally about purpose, wellness, and the kind of life she wanted to build.
“I realized my purpose was helping others,” she explained. “Everything I do comes from wanting to help people and connect people together.”
That realization ultimately inspired significant life changes, including leaving a longtime job, embracing a healthier lifestyle, and becoming more deeply involved in the community she now proudly calls home. She also emphasized how volunteering creates opportunities for people to feel seen, appreciated, and connected — something she believes is increasingly important in today’s digital world.
“People need connection, that personal connection matters.”
After more than a decade of volunteering, Kathryn Christensen’s impact can still be felt throughout the BCHD community — not only through the events she has supported and programs she has contributed to, but through the countless relationships, conversations, and moments of encouragement she has helped create along the way. From leading her own photography-focused Moai to supporting wellness events and helping shape community programming as an Event Ambassador, Kathryn has dedicated years to fostering connection throughout the South Bay. Her passion for bringing people together and helping others feel welcomed has become a meaningful part of her volunteer journey.
For Kathryn, volunteering was never about recognition or awards. Instead, it has always been rooted in purpose, connection, and giving back to the community she now proudly calls home.
“When you give just to give, it’s amazing how much you get back from it,” she shared, “It comes back to you tenfold.”
Through her continued involvement with Beach Cities Health District, Kathryn has not only helped support healthier lifestyles within the community but also reminded others of the importance of human connection, kindness, and finding joy in everyday moments. And in many ways, that spirit reflects the very heart of BCHD’s mission: creating a healthier, more connected community where people feel supported, valued, and inspired to thrive.
What’s Happening This Month:
Health Promotions & Communications
This month, BCHD will highlight some of the great work and programming taking place in its Health Promotions and Communications department. Our Health Promotions & Communications department continues to support BCHD initiatives through community outreach, storytelling, social media, newsletters, graphic design, and promotional efforts that help keep the community informed and engaged. You can learn more about this program by watching Cristan Mueller, Chief Health Operations & Communications Officer, present at the May Board of Directors Meeting (new link May BOD meeting), or (new link view presentation slides).
Upcoming Events:
Summer Free Fitness- Mindful Yoga on the Beach (Hermosa)
Mondays June 8, 15, 22 and 29
6:30pm p.m.
Adjacent to Scotty’s Restaurant on the Hermosa Beach Strand
Register for Yoga here
Summer Free Fitness- Mindful Yoga on the Beach (Manhattan)
Mondays July 6, 13, 20 and 27
6:30pm p.m.
South of the Manhattan Beach Pier
Register for Yoga here
Summer Free Fitness- Zumba in the Park
Mondays, August 3, 10, 17 and 24
6:30pm p.m.
Alta Vista Park in Redondo Beach on Julia Field
Register for Zumba here
SECTION: Volunteer Impact
Volunteer Hours
We are grateful for the 29,607.53 reported hours of BCHD volunteer service in 2025. This number includes groceries shopped for, prescriptions picked up, calls made, visits to our older adult clients, Center for Health & Fitness front desk check-ins, committees met, administrative support, intern projects, gardens kept, and more. Thank you all! We know BCHD volunteers will continue doing remarkable things in 2026.
January: 2,490.47
February: 1,913.77
March: 2,250.13
April: 2,331.42
Total: 8,985.78
2026 One Hundred-Hour Club
We’re excited to introduce a new section in the newsletter recognizing volunteers who have reached (and surpassed!) the 100-hour milestone.
Beyond making a meaningful impact in our community, volunteers who complete 100+ hours of service per year also experience benefits of their own. Research shows that at this level of volunteering, individuals often report greater life satisfaction, stronger social connections, and improved physical and cognitive well-being.
In other words, giving your time doesn’t just support others, it gives back to you, too!
Congratulations to our 2026 100-Hour One Hundred-Hour Club members!
Alex Barkopoulos
Andrea Hughes
Amy Quan
Joan Stolba
Toshi Takehara
Volunteer Anniversaries
Thank you to these fabulous volunteers for their years of service! We’re so fortunate to have volunteers who are so committed to making this a healthy beach community! Congrats on your anniversary!
May
| Toshi Takehara | 12 |
| Susan Macwilliams | 10 |
| Lisa Gaudio | 5 |
| Berta Rutherford | 3 |
| Sonia Georgy | 3 |
| Craig Hendrickson | 2 |
| Anne Shea | 1 |
| Judith Petraitis | 1 |
| Marianna Parliarou | 1 |
*Official years of service in BCHD system
Featured Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in volunteering (getting back to it or taking the next step to volunteer) with BCHD? See below for what’s currently available and please stay tuned to our newsletters and website as new opportunities arise! If you are or have been a BCHD volunteer or if you have questions, you’re invited to email us at Volunteers@bchd.org.
Apply Here button (www.bchd.org/volunteer.)
EVENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
It is important for Beach Cities Health District to be out in the community sharing our programs and resources to our residents. Share with friends and family and volunteer together!
Sign-up on the event form to get information about upcoming events.
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/90e7419918a74b37b492e595ffb73fd3 (please make a button)
A Word From Our Community Partner – South Bay Parkland Conservancy
If interested in volunteering directly with the Conservancy, please check out these opportunities here:
SECTION: BCHD Events
Comm to input whichever events they would like to promote.
