Debbie and Bill Currin have volunteered for the Chautauqua Fund for 10 years. Half of that time has been spent as team captains. (Bria Granville | Staff Photographer)
Giving is more than receiving — or ever expecting anything in return. But for Bill and Debbie Currin, their efforts to give back are their own reward.
The Currins have served as volunteers for the Chautauqua Fund for nearly 10 years, the latter half of which has been spent as team captains, where they give even more of their time to help the organization in any way.
“It just kind of goes with the way that we live our life,” Bill said. “And that is trying to be good community members.”
The Currins have been coming to Chautauqua for 31 years, each visit growing longer. Once their daughters grew up, and the couple started coming on their own for lengthier stays, friends invited the them to more events. Bill said they learned so much about Chautauqua and how it is operated, and they wanted to help.
“The more you’re involved with your community, the more appreciation you have for it, and the more you understand the difficulties and the more you’re likely to support it because that’s what it’s about,” said Bill, who is the mayor of Hudson, Ohio.
As Fund volunteers, the Currins enjoyed calling on individuals and families, and inviting their support of the Chautauqua Fund. When asked if they would consider serving as captains, thereby overseeing a team of several volunteers, they first worried it might be an overwhelming task. But they jumped in and now say it was a role they were meant for.
“It’s more about a common bond of pursuit of intellect, the pursuit of the four pillars, the pursuit of a quality of life and a deeper understanding, and wanting as many people as possible to share in that,” Bill said.
Their commitment to this effort has been balanced by their enjoyment of getting to know other members of the community. Debbie said the couple had an unspoken understanding that they wanted to be actively involved in anything they participated in.
“We have a strong belief that, when you’re blessed in life, you need to give back,” she said. “And we feel we’ve had a very good life, so we want to give back.”
Some Chautauqua Fund volunteers have asked to be a part of the Currins’ team by name.
“That really is a validation that we’re doing a good job and that it’s something we need to continue with,” Debbie said.
The Currins also enjoy the fellowship of working with other volunteers and the Foundation.
“We feel very well-thanked, with all the activities they include us in and the luncheons and the honor of being with speakers and so forth,” Debbie said. “I think they do a fine, fine job with thanking us.”
The Currins said they plan to stay as team captains for the foreseeable future.
“We just want to help where they need us,” Bill said.
For information on volunteering for Chautauqua, please contact foundation@ciweb.org or call 716-357-6243.
The Chautauquan Daily 
