Dinesh Neelay shares his vision, literally, as a volunteer photographer for Volunteer Connection, Boulder County's primary resource center for volunteerism. Neelay provides the face to the story of volunteers featured in weekly profiles published in the Camera and/or the Longmont Times-Call each Sunday. An accomplished photographer, Neelay doesn't mind that he is required to take only simple headshots for the volunteer profiles. "I just enjoy giving back to the community," said Neelay.

Neelay joined Volunteer Connection in 2008. Volunteer Connection connects people as volunteers to service and nonprofit agencies and strengthens these organizations through resources, training and education in Boulder County. "Working with Volunteer Connection allows me the ability to interact with other volunteers who do so much more than I ever could," claims Neelay.

Neelay has successfully built a bridge between his work and volunteer efforts. He recently helped to organize a team activity for employees from Level 3 Communications in Broomfield to volunteer at BeadforLife in Boulder. Businesses and organizations are extremely useful volunteer entities as they can accomplish a significant amount of work while reaping the benefits of these team building opportunities.

Neelay recognizes the importance of volunteering and especially appreciates a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: "When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die."

"I think the positive side to that quote is that when you make a contribution, you live more fully," notes Neelay.

For information about volunteering with Volunteer Connection or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.