Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1367665
sagaftra.org | Spring 2021 | SAG-AFTRA 79 Armand Vasquez Aside from my volunteer work serving on a few SAG-AFTRA committees, I wanted to get involved in 2020s local and presidential elections," said Los Angeles Local member Armand Vasquez. "My girlfriend and I phone-banked and dropped literature for now-councilwoman Nithya Raman. I also wanted to support the pro-union presidential candidate Joe Biden, so I spent 10 days in Michigan leading up to Election Day. I knocked on close to 1,000 doors, letting people know when and where to vote. It wasn't easy, but it was incredibly rewarding. You can't complain if you don't get involved! Los Angeles Christina Bobrowsky N ew York Local member and U.S. Navy sailor Christina Bobrowsky helps distribute COVID-19 vaccinations at the Jones Beach vaccination site in Long Island, New York. Under voluntary orders with the New York Naval Militia, which is comparable to the National Guard for the Navy, Bobrowsky and her fellow service members help the nurses facilitate the administration of the vaccine to the drive-up patients. They ask the patient all of the pre-screening healthcare questions with the nurse standing by. They also help distribute food to the service members and civilians at the vaccination site. At times, voluntary service members are also used as gate-greeters for the first part of the screening process. "Honestly, I started my volunteering practices with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, helping the community to grow and connect," said Bobrowsky. "Now that COVID hit and limited these opportunities, the door opened and shifted my volunteering needs to a new community. I'm realizing that no matter where we choose to put our time and energy, it helps us and the people we are connecting with rise up. As an entertainer, I am able to put a smile on the patients' faces. Many of them [are] nervous when coming to get vaccinated. Oftentimes I feel like a jester with my fellow service members and nurses. We have fun during these dark times. Performers bring the light. I am happy to have brought my skills to this brand new world." Scott Sharot I volunteer every Tuesday at the Francis House Catholic Worker in Albuquerque's neediest neighborhood," said New Mexico Local member Scott Sharot. "We prepare and serve five gallons of soup, hundreds of sandwiches, bags of healthy snacks, coffee, juice and water. We also provide coats, blankets, shoes and personal hygiene items from items that are donated. The community in need of help has grown exponentially since the pandemic, and I'm grateful to be part of the team helping to fulfill some of those needs. Lisa Romano Aloha! When the pandemic broke out, I started thinking of ways I could help," said Hawaii Local Board member Lisa Romano. "The East West Medical Center reached out to me in August and invited me to join the Pfizer vaccine study! I said yes and received my first shot in September. After a blood draw to check for antibodies, I received my second shot in October. I had very mild reactions compared to what COVID-19 could have done to my body. Of all my career adventures, being a part of the Pfizer study is my most honored role in my lifetime. I believe in research, and I truly hope getting the vaccine resets the lives of everyone. Stay safe and healthy everyone. That's a wrap! Hawaii