Volunteer Spotlights
Deborah Van Buren, Plant-Care Goddess
Those of us who appreciate the healthy, vibrant plant life in Lotus Center have Deborah Van Buren (and her plant-care partner, Dawn Falch) to thank.
Deborah is a city girl with a country girl heart.
She started riding Welsh Ponies at the age of 10, owned her first quarter horse at 13 and showed and trained 2 more horses into her 40’s. After college, she lived and worked in the mountains of Grass Valley, CA, which brought her home to nature and the woods. It was in Grass Valley that she started a Therapeutic Riding program that is still thriving in the Sacramento area today. Later, she moved to Carmel, where she opened a clinically-based Equine Assisted Therapy center. Later she launched an occupational therapy practice, offering sensory-based services for children.
As a testament to her adventurous nature, Deborah found love with Arnold Owens, moved onto a 31-foot sailboat, and sailed from California to Baja, Mexico to Hawaii!
Deborah and Arnold moved to their “forever home” of Silver City in 2017. Along with their Boston terrier, Benny, they enjoy camping and hiking in the Gila National Forest. The three of them feel embraced and included in this thriving, welcoming community.
George Farmer, A Handyman’s Handyman
George moved to Silver City in 2006 and brought with him a deep commitment to the practice of Engaged Buddhism, the practice of seeking ways to apply the insights from meditation practice and life’s teachings to situations of social, political, environmental, and economic suffering and injustice. Engaged Buddhism found its roots in Vietnam through the Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh.
George is the facilitator for Blooming Lotus Sangha, a contemplative spiritual community in Silver City that practices mindful living in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. George began his journey of mindfulness practice in 1999 and was ordained into the Order of Interbeing as a lay practitioner in 2003.
Having been raised on a farm in Texas, George Farmer can fix anything. Through his caring handy work, he helps keep our Lotus Center running smoothly, without interruption, from fixing our malfunctioning furnace (heat is important in the winter) and replacing locks and doorknobs on various center doors.