Driven to serve

Glendale resident is always ready to serve his community by volunteering.Glendale resident Bob Keiter is always willing and ready to serve his community, whether it is serving members of his church or volunteering for local law enforcement.

Keiter is a deacon responsible for helping the congregants of the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church who cannot get around without someone's help. He drives members to church and to other appointments, helping them maintain their daily routine.

Keiter seems to have fun with his duties.

"I've also taken some ladies to the hairdresser," Keiter, 77, said with a giggle.

Keiter is also a member of the Stephen Ministry group. The group, consisting of volunteer congregants, is dedicated to providing one-on-one assistance to congregants and residents who have personal problems.

"We are a group of individuals who want to be good listeners and can minister to some of the elderly and younger people who are having some problems in their marriage, for example," Keiter said.

Aside from serving his church, Keiter, the father of three adult children, is also involved with the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station.

Keiter took emergency preparedness classes at the sheriff's station and ultimately became a volunteer patrolman for the Crescenta Valley community.

Wearing a uniform and an identification badge and using his own car, Keiter patrols local neighborhoods, construction sites and the areas surrounding schools. He keeps a look out for suspicious activity or dangers.

"One of our patrol jobs is to look for violators," Keiter said. "We have been authorized now for issuing citations to people parking in illegal or handicap spots."

Keiter who has provided 1,000 hours of community service and was recently awarded with a recognition pin from Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.

"He is a good role model for other volunteers to follow," said Rendy Sulstrom, volunteer coordinator of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station. "He steps up the plate to take charge and is a leader by example."

Keiter who is also on the executive committee of the Glendale Verdugo Hills Council of the Boy Scout of America, credits Scouting for his willingness to help the community.