Volunteering

Volunteering

Being a firm believer in volunteerism, I sometimes get myself spread a little thin.  At one time, back in the mid 1980s, I was an officer in five different organizations.  Doing my volunteer work became a full time job without pay.  I had an office with a huge desk, file cabinets, and all the trappings of a busy business office.  It completely wore me out.

I dropped out of most of the organizations, and took a paying job for several years.  Then I found a better paying job, and progressed from below minimum wage to the pay I’m getting now as a nurse.

When I wasn’t serving as an officer, I was volunteering for service organizations, baking cookies for VA hospitals, teaching religious education for our church youth, and many other duties for charitable organizations.

It is a very rewarding activity.  No, the monetary rewards are not there, but the feeling that I was doing something worth while made me feel very good about myself.

Nowadays, most of my volunteering is limited to my Art Club presidency, and giving monetarily to favorite charities. But I still believe in volunteering time and assistance for good causes.  I enjoy baking cookies and cakes, and often give them to bake sales for organizations. 

Nursing homes are always in need of volunteers.  There are many simple things that can be done to help there.  Our nursing home has an ice cream shop that is open on weekends.  Volunteers are available to serve the ice cream and popcorn on weekends. 

The chapel volunteers help the residents get to church services and deliver Communion to those who cannot attend.   Some volunteers are helping with laundry for those who do not wish their clothing laundered with the general population.   Reading to the residents, doing nail care, shopping errands, and other activities are always appreciated.

So if you have some extra time on your hands, and would like to help, why don’t you mosey on down to your local nursing home and offer your services as a volunteer.  You will meet some lovely people there, and might even run across an old friend.  And you’ll feel good about yourself.  And sometimes that’s the best reward of all.