Tara Arichabala, Mom and Dedicated Volunteer

Meet Tara Arichabala, mother of three and community volunteer. Arichabala, originally from Oregon, came to Long Island in her early teens. She currently lives in Mount Sinai with her husband and three children who range in age 5 years to 5 months old. 

A busy mom of three, Arichabala takes the time out to help in the community whenever she can. She also is the co leader for her daughter's Girl Scout Daisy troop. Arichabala recently sat down with Patch and shared with us what inspires her to be an avid volunteer in our community.  

Has volunteering always been a part of your life?

I have volunteered since I was in college. I was the philanthropy chair of my sorority. Since then I’ve done it here and there, but with the new group starting hopefully more.

Your referring to North Brookhaven Volunteer Families? 

Yes, North Brookhaven Volunteer Families is a group on Meetup a friend of mine started. I asked her if I could put some ideas in. I went to school as an environmental major. Between North Brookhaven Volunteer Families and another group she has just started Raising My Healthy Eater, I have some ideas I would like to incorporate.

Is there anything specific your working on now?

I have been working on gathering plastic containers, like from Chinese food restaurants. The idea is to see if we can get a restaurant to take them, clean them and reuse them. So they would be recycled then. It will save them money too. I’ve heard of restaurants in Queens doing this, but I’ve been unable to find a place here to take them. So that is something I have been working on.

Do you find that you utilize the mom groups that you belong to not just for social aspects?

Oh yeah, it is not a forced thing though. I put it out there and say, this is what is happening. If someone can help, they help. I’m not the only one that has asked for help though. If anyone knows someone or a family they can feel free to post it.  If they see someone in need, anyone that has anything we can help with I would encourage them to post it.

What particular things have the mom groups that you belong to gotten involved with?

We have collected things for drives. At Christmastime a friend had a baby and the family lost their job, and we wanted to give the baby a Christmas. It ended up being good. People donated all sorts of things: household things, gift cards and items for the baby as well.

It is hard to find a family sometimes. You don’t want to assume someone needs help. So we go through a school or a church to find a family that really needs help.

How do you usually find things to get involved with?

Usually someone brings something to my attention. If I see something I can do, I will. And I have to be honest I usually focus more on the things I can do that involve helping kids.

I’m trying to get involved now with March of Dimes. Since my son, Fernando was born premature. So I’m waiting to see now what I can do and what is needed. I’m looking forward to helping them and getting involved.

What do you tell people about getting involved with volunteering in our community?

The biggest thing that I hear people say is they have kids and can’t volunteer. But you can. There are so many little ways that you can get involved. And every little thing will add up. The little things you think your not doing, they really add up. You can help, and make a difference.