Do you volunteer?

[JVL1018]

I always THINK about volunteering but never know where to start.

There is no way I could just call up a place and ask if I could volunteer. The thought of that makes me want to throw up. The thought of everyone knowing each other, comfortable with each other, and then me walking in like Duh, here I am..Ugh, no way!

What I need is to be asked by someone I know, or to have a friend who volunteers somewhere, where I could tag along. LOL

I was class mom for my DD last year, and have volunteered again this year, though I doubt I'll be picked since I was last year and they probably make sure another parent who wants to gets a chance.
I did feel very uncomfortable dealing with the other parents, asking for money for parties or gifts, even calling them to inform them of snow days gave me agita..but I do it because I love to help with the kids and I love seeing my DD on field trips and at class parties.

I swear I am normal, you would never know I was uncomfortable, people think I'm outgoing, but I am freaking out inside. LOL!!

I volunteered to help the class at the book fairs and gift fair as well.

I noticed the library sometimes has notices up asking for volunteers to deliver books to those who can not get to the library. I'd do that in a heartbeat!

DH is a volunteer firefighter, it's more like a second job with the amount of time it takes. Alas, no pay like a real second job would do.

ETA that I just remember I volunteered to help tecah Sunday School for part of this year.

 

[happybratpack]

Wow, I'm so impressed with everyone. I honestly thought I'd get back on today and have a few responses, not a bunch!

I used to do a lot of volunteer work, mainly animal rescue. Once I got knee deep in the adoption world I kind of stopped, too involved in my own issues. (which is NEVER a good thing)

Anyway - I'm ready to get back in the swing of things and am trying to decide what to do. Like I said, I really enjoy the animal groups but am also interested in childrens or women/domestic violence organizations.

Thanks for sharing, I enjoy reading what everyone else does.

 

[ilovejack02]

Im in the Junior League on Baton Rouge, we raise money and then it is handed out in grants to different charities around town. I have a huge Holiday market coming up in Oct that is our biggest money maker. We have raised over 1.5 million dollars since its beginning. I have worked on hud homes in the past and have another coming up in the spring. Im looking foward to when my lil one is in school and I can volunteer at school.

 

[lovemickeya]

I am room mom for both of my son's classes. And always go on field trips and help with field day at both schools. Youngest is in program with other children with autism and they always need me just for an extra set of hands.

I am also team mom for little league football team and help with the baseball teams that my son has been on.

 

[twojo21]

my husband volunteers at a local animal clinic and i volunteer with easter seals & autism society of america.

 

[hiwaygal]

I used to volunteer with Basenji Rescue and Transport: http://www.basenjirescue.org/ but things got political and I didn't feel my "skills" were appreciated.

I have volunteered on the board of directors for several professional organizations. On one of them I helped create a scholarship for "non-traditional" students. I just finished my term as "Past President" on one group, and am now serving on their scholarship committee.

I also am the ONLY coordinator/volunteer who puts together our local Future City Competition http://www.futurecity.org/ And if any of you have 7th and 8th grade students, you might want to see if they participate in this program. It's a national program and it's VERY COOL!!

And if you all know any businesses who would like to become sponsors (especially in Virginia), let me know!!! We could SERIOUSLY use help this year as our primary sponsor's treasurer embezzled all their money and now I don't have any donations coming in (yet)!! I'm a little panicked!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I'm a volunteer for our local fire department (so is my husband, which is about the only time I see him recently ) I also volunteer with the Girl Scouts, to go on their trips as the medical person / lifeguard.

My best volunteer thing ever - I volunteered for the Atlanta Olympics as an EMT. It was absolutely incredible!!!!

Jen

 

[ReggieB]

A long time ago (about 6 years!) I used to volunteer at San Fransisco Zoo in their Arc (animal resource center) They had a bunch of animals they use for educational purposes. I got to clean out cages, prepare food, groom and that sort of thing. It was awesome. Walking a wallaby was a big highlight for me!

Most recently I've been volunteering in another sort of zoo altogether..I'm able to spend a few hours in my DS6's class. Even if I'm just helping out the teacher with photocopying, I still really enjoy it. Doing stuff with the kids is always a blast.

 

[PaulaSue]

PTO mamma (both school and preschool)

 

[Scutapipig]

At school, whatever they need help with.

At church, whatever they need help with. I'm currently the Children's Coordinator and I'm planning the annual Marriage Retreat.

A few years back, my husband and I both volunteered at the hospital with their Parent to Parent program. They would match up parents who have already dealt with a pregnancy diagnosis, with parents who are currently dealing with that diagnosis. (i.e. a mom with twins would be matched with a a mom having twins...parents with a child diagnosed with Down syndrome would be matched with parents who are anticipating a child diagnosed in utero with Down syndrome....)

 

[Karel]

I belong to a large international community service organization, The General Federation Of Women's Clubs - Junior Membership.

If anyone is interested in volunteering, we have clubs all over the country. There are the Women's Clubs, which take women from 18 to whatever. I belong the Jersey Juniors, our NJ organization, which is open to women 18 to 40 (or so...) Not every state has the Junior Membership.

I've done that for 16 years and have served on the State Level for eight years. We have a big state project and raise a ton of money for one organizaiton and then help lots of smaller organization and families in our communities.

It's a great way to meet people and work on your leadership and organizational skills.

If Vicki sees this, I know that there are clubs in Bergen County and could give you contact information if you want to go check out a meeting. Perhaps you could talk a friend into going with you. My best friend and I have been doing it together for 15 years and have so much fun together!

 

[ducklite]

I am on the board of directors for a group that responds to disasters to assist with animal rescue and shelter.

I also maintain the web sites for a couple of non-profits.

Anne

 

[JVL1018]

I belong to a large international community service organization, The General Federation Of Women's Clubs - Junior Membership.

If anyone is interested in volunteering, we have clubs all over the country. There are the Women's Clubs, which take women from 18 to whatever. I belong the Jersey Juniors, our NJ organization, which is open to women 18 to 40 (or so...) Not every state has the Junior Membership.

I've done that for 16 years and have served on the State Level for eight years. We have a big state project and raise a ton of money for one organizaiton and then help lots of smaller organization and families in our communities.

It's a great way to meet people and work on your leadership and organizational skills.

If Vicki sees this, I know that there are clubs in Bergen County and could give you contact information if you want to go check out a meeting. Perhaps you could talk a friend into going with you. My best friend and I have been doing it together for 15 years and have so much fun together!

We do have a junior womens' club I always see thier meetings/activities listed in our town paper..but I just know everyone knows everyone and i will be the dork standing there with no one to talk to. I think I could talk one friend into trying it maybe..the rest I cant' see doing it, too busy.

It does sound great!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Strange question here. Do you need to be related to the school somehow to volunteer? I don't have children, but I have LOTS of clerical type skills I could offer. I don't particularly want to work with the children either. (Or would they wonder why I would want to be there?)

I'm also thinking of volunteering with animals somehow.

Or possibly helping elderly with simple mail & finances. I used to be an asst branch manager at a bank for 7+ yrs, & I had several customers who I would help balance their checkbooks every month. They just don't keep track of their entries well. BUT, I'm thinking since no bank affilation now, they might not trust me. KWIM? I also have 11+ yrs as insurance agency cust serv rep.

Also thought of helping somewhere with mentally disabled adults - maybe doing arts & crafts. When I was asst front end manager at a grocery store, we had a group as our baggers. I enjoyed working with them.

I NEED to do something. Getting bored staying at home...and not really interested in committing to a real job just yet.

 

[crzy4dsny]

I have been a volunteer firefighter for 16 years. My wife is the president of our kids school PTA. She basically has a full time job she does not get paid for

 

[grlpwrd]

Strange question here. Do you need to be related to the school somehow to volunteer? I don't have children, but I have LOTS of clerical type skills I could offer. I don't particularly want to work with the children either. (Or would they wonder why I would want to be there?)

I'm also thinking of volunteering with animals somehow.

Or possibly helping elderly with simple mail & finances. I used to be an asst branch manager at a bank for 7+ yrs, & I had several customers who I would help balance their checkbooks every month. They just don't keep track of their entries well. BUT, I'm thinking since no bank affilation now, they might not trust me. KWIM? I also have 11+ yrs as insurance agency cust serv rep.

Also thought of helping somewhere with mentally disabled adults - maybe doing arts & crafts. When I was asst front end manager at a grocery store, we had a group as our baggers. I enjoyed working with them.

I NEED to do something. Getting bored staying at home...and not really interested in committing to a real job just yet.

I don't recall it, but there is a volunteer-type website (maybe volunteermatch.org?) that acts as a clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities in your area. You might want to Google it. About volunteering at a school, no, there are volunteers who don't have any kids attending, such as retirees and stay at home wives as I know a handful at my kids' schools. I doubt there is a restriction (except maybe they require a background check) so I hope you go for it.

As for me, I volunteer as a Girl Scout leader and recruiter (I'm on my 6th year!) , at a senior home, an Adopt A Spot volunteer at our local park, and I am on the hospitality committee at all 3 of my dd's schools (which means I bake and cook goodies for the teachers and staff ).

I do what I can at their schools, too, but I am very busy.

As a high school and college student, I volunteered at 2 different hospitals.

 

[SplshMtn99]

COOL!!!!! I go look for the website!! Great idea.

YUP. http://www.volunteermatch.org/

I might have found one!!!!! Volunteering to help disabled decorate their room. Painting, hanging shelves...... Just 3 hrs per event. How cool!!! I love decorating.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

Currently
Serving as President of our local Volunteer Ambulance Board

Volunteer Driver for our County Veteran Bus

Stephen Leader at church

Women's Group Chairwomen at Church

Bell Choir sub

Usher and Lector at church

 

[Moonmom]

Way back when DH & were dating when he was volunteer firefighter and I'd go in when they'd have calls at night and make coffee/cold drinks or food as needed for crews along with some other volunteers.
Then the school mommy things.. room mom... and Daisy leader.. and later the swim team mom things.. ranging from managing meets to making posters to making team travel arrangements. But, (alas, she went grew up me and ended all helping stuff I got to do!)
Every year I try to work the local Special Olympics.. but it's just a one day event.. and it's not really work...it's just actually fun making sure the athletes get their medals or get their starting line on time.
So.. with an emptynest we adopted a greyhound..and later another, and since they both got their therapy dog certifications and over a 7 year period we took one or both to a local nursing home to visit the residents there. One grey went to Rainbow's bridge on 9/11/02; the other on 2/13/06. We adopted this April...so we're still involved in Greyhound rescue.. not doing the nursing home right now..not sure if I'm going to again. But I am involved with the Greyhound rescue group ..organized an event this weekend that I sure hope works out.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Right now, I'm volunteering at a medical clinic for low income/non-insured patients. In our area of the country, we have a very high % of people with no medical insurance, and one of the highest poverty rates in the country. A few years ago, I volunteered for a year at the Ronald McDonald House for families of children with long-term hospitalization. When my kids were in school, I was a room mother every year. And when DS was in high school, I was a band chaperone and DH was the head of the 1/2 time crew for the band's 1/2 time show (and we served at marching contests)