Community service opportunities at Thacher are countless.  You can help clean up Ojai’s creeks on a Saturday morning, tutor kids during the day, take part in Habitat for Humanity projects, help out with trail work on Sundays, and/or visit elderly homes on weeknights.  Last fall, I started going to St. Joe’s, an elderly home in Ojai.  I go every Sunday night with a few other peers and we chat with the elderly folks there.  Over this past year, I have come to know and admire a few individuals at St. Joe’s.  For example, Ms. Beatrice, who hails from Columbia, traveled all over the world when she was young and is fluent in English, French, and Spanish.  Then there’s the beloved Ms. Teresa–perhaps the sweetest person of all at St. Joe’s–who just turned 87 on St. Patrick’s Day and has 12 siblings.  There’s also Ms. Mary Lou who is 96 years old but still knows how to joke! Last, there’s Ms. Jan, a die-hard fan of the Lakers and can often be found watching their games (she doesn’t miss one).  This year, I’ve learned a lot from these ladies and look forward to my last visits this spring.