Someone once said, "Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in." When people volunteer they often avoid the spotlight and don’t seek any recognition for their contributions. Such is the case with local community volunteer Kari Thompson.
You may have seen her name before in the newspaper, on community social media boards, or mentioned by others in passing; but Thompson prefers to work behind the scenes in countless local organizations. “My husband and I moved to Newman with our daughter in 2000 from Fremont,” Thompson states. A Bay Area native, Thompson has enjoyed making a home within the small community of Newman. “It’s a great community to raise a family in. We have been fortunate with all of the opportunities,” Thompson said.
Even though she did not come from a family of natural volunteers, Thompson felt the call to get involved. “Volunteerism was a way for me to get out and meet other people in the community. Then I discovered I enjoyed staying busy and kept saying ‘yes’ to things,” Thompson said. Within communities like Newman, there is never a lack of things to be done. “Usually there’s a need for volunteers so I started showing up to club meetings and asking ‘What can I do? How can I help?’ and it’s usually met with great enthusiasm,” Thompson smiled.
Getting involved indeed is what Thompson did. “I was a Girl Scout volunteer for about 20 years and did a lot locally with the troop. I worked as a service unit manager and helped facilitate between the councils and the community within the local chapters. It was a great way to get involved and share a passion for volunteerism and skill building with the youths in our area.” Thompson recalls when her troop won a Space Days competition with the Lockheed Martin Science and Technology Competition and traveled to Washington D.C. to be honored with the troop. “The impact is on the kids and I like seeing that happen. That connection between hard work and the fruition of their labor.”
Another connection Thompson has made through inspiring the young community is by working as a school bus driver and volunteering with youth sports boards. “I served on the board for the Stingrays swim team among other local sports groups. It’s great to get involved in different ways to make an impact,” Thompson recalls. “Working with kids then, and now with the theater, I like seeing them take on the challenges and making things happen. That light goes on when they realize they can achieve something they didn’t realize was possible. It’s great.”
In 2017 Thompson joined the Newman Planning Commission. She also serves as the planning commission’s representative on the Architectural Review Committee which oversees approvals of renovations and plans for new builds. “We ensure that these buildings meet the city standards and maintain the integrity of the city; especially when it comes to our historic buildings,” Thompson stated.
Thompson is also involved with the West Side Theatre Foundation. “Two wonderful souls were sadly lost in 2021, Martin Salmon and Gail Chapman. They served on the foundation and provided countless contributions within the community. Ferris Larsen reached out and asked me to join the foundation after their loss. I was deeply touched and agreed to join,” Thompson said. “Due to Covid, most of my volunteering and other opportunities had fallen away, so I had the time to devote to that and say ‘Yes!’. We just went from there.”
In 2023 Thompson worked with the West Side Players’ production of Spamalot as a co-director. The show was set to open in September of 2023, but due to Covid had to be postponed. The production was able to resume and the show went on in January of 2024. In March Thompson directed the Play That Goes Wrong and most recently wrapped up directing Young Frankenstein. “The West Side Players typically do one play and one musical each year,” Thompson said. “We are already looking forward to the next one and securing the rights and plans,” Thompson said with a sly smile. “Theater is a great way to get involved. It’s a welcoming place and there’s always something that people can do to help. I hope more people join in the theater fun.”
In addition to the West Side Theatre Foundation and the Newman Planning Commission, Thompson also serves on the Stanislaus Arts Council. “I work as the grant committee chair and help design the local art grants that the grant council awards to local artists,” Thompson stated. Recently the art council moved to a smaller location in Modesto. “It’s a smaller space, but the council has shifted focus more on community support and making larger strides toward outreach to local artists.” Currently work has wrapped up for the year, but the council is preparing to release their next grant season in January.
Thompson’s love for Newman resides within her husband and daughter as well. “We just showed up together for a Newman Historical Society meeting to see what we could do to help and to learn more about the town. There’s so many opportunities here in Newman to connect with and get involved. We love it.” Thompson now also serves as Vice President of the Newman Historical Society.
While there never seems to be a lack of opportunities, often it is challenging finding where to offer help. “I believe more people are task oriented and willing to help with specific projects within the community. People are generally willing to help when something needs to be painted, envelopes need to be stuffed, or other things that are specifically in need,” Thompson said. “If people are looking for a way to get more involved they should start showing up to meetings and asking how they can help. The Newman Partnership is a great group that meets the first Wednesday of each month at the McConnell Center here in Newman. It’s a group of people from different organizations within the community and would be a great place to start,” Thompson encouraged.
Martin Luther King Jr once said, “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Even small contributions can have a ripple effect and reverberate within the community. All it takes is saying yes to showing up and asking, “How can I help?”
