Where do you volunteer and how did you choose this activity?

[Sheree Bobbins]

I'll go first.

I am a church musician who hasn't played in church for about 7 years. They don't need an organist which is fine with me.

Our church has run a thrift shop for years and so I decided to give it a try. It was not depressing like I thought it would be (being around old things). It is nice to be in the recycling business. I also meet a wide diversity of customers from those on welfare to bargain hunters (can also be one and the same). At the end of my 2 hour shift, I feel I have contributed to the community.

So, how about you? Have you volunteered lately?

 

[alli'smom]

I am in charge of registration for a 5K race. The proceeds go to a local
First Aid Squad that DH is a member of. I am also in charge of set up for
an Irish Dinner in March. The proceeds go to a local Fire Dept. that DH is
also a member of. I find it easier to not complain that DH is involved in
so many things away from home if I get involved in them with him.

 

[JVL1018]

I wanted to become an ESL tutor at my library, but the schedule doesn't work with the main volunteering that's done here-DH is a volunteer firefighter and that takes up a LOT of time, especially since he's an officer, more meetings etc.
I did however see that they are looking for volunteers at the library to take books to people who can't easily get out of the hosue due to disability/illness and am going to do that.

 

[luvwinnie]

I am on the Walk Committe for the local Arthritis Foundation Walk. I have psoriatic arthritis and my mom had severe osteoarthritis AND even my bulldog has arthritis.

 

[Viking]

I started as a 15year-old as a volunteer in an ambulance service and now -27 years later- I still do it.
I began it, because in my country we still have a draft at age 18-27, but fortunately you can choose the way to serve your country/society. In my time it was:
-18 months in the Armed Forces
-20 months in a social service like a hospital, assisted living facility, ambulance service, etc.
-doing 10 years with an ambulance service, the engineering corps, or a similar service for at least 200 hours a year in training or in operation and standing by for catastrophe services (Forest fires, quakes, snow, war, etc.)

I wanted to check out the ambulance service, just to see what would it is like and somehow stayed. I did the 10 years instead of joining the Army.

BTW nowaday the time required from our young men for those services have been cut down by about 50% due to the different situation in the world - No more bad commies waiting to invade Europe

 

[simba928]

Not a year-round thing, but I volunteer at the big events for my local fire department. My dad is a volunteer fire fighter there. Fish Fries are starting up in a couple weeks and I will be bussing tables. I also do their car cruise. It is very big (hundreds of cars). Last year I worked the T-shirt booth and sold t-shirts with a family friend and the year before I worked the pop booth all day. That was interesting. LOL. I love it, though. I can't wait for the fish fries to start up.

 

[Crankyshank]

I used to volunteer for Planned Parenthood but I haven't done anything with them in a while due to scheduling issues. I believe in the program and that's why I chose it.

My main source of volunteering is with a local literacy center teaching adults and teens how to read. I have a passion for reading and writing and was appalled to find out how many people are barely literate.

I'm hoping to do some volunteer work for the zoo this summer if my schedule permits.

 

[toto2]

I run a charity !

My boyfriend's brother died of AIDS 15 years ago and by BF started bringing a few chrismas gifts to some AIDS auspices around Montréal. Now, 15 yeras later , we send gifts to 2751 people accross Canada ! You can lean more about us at


www.ptitslutins.org

and follow for the english section of the website.

We have a lot of fun and keeps us really busy , but we do know that it makes a huge difference in peoples life.

 

[disykat]

I volunteer with mostly music and children's groups because that is where I have talents and experience. Those are the things that "feed" a need in me as well as making a contribution. My other volunteer stuff like HOA and PTA are more like chores I do because of a feeling of responsibility.

 

[wuv tigger]

BC ~ before kids I volunteered 15 hrs a week.

Then after the girls arrived it went to next to nothing.

Now that they are 3 & 6 we volunteer a lot as a family.

We particpate in the Help the Homeless Walkathon, Back Packs for School Drive, Thanksgiving Baskets, Marine Corp Toys for Tots, Giving Tree ~ hats, scarves, gloves & mittens & Christmas Baskets.

A couple of moms at school wonder why I don't volunteer more there. The youngest still takes naps & I ain't about to stop her from doing that. The dinner hour would become the witching hour & they ain't fun for anyone.

 

[Karel]

My husband has been a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years. I consider that a family accomplishment because we are involved too, whether it's serving chicken bbq at a fundraiser or changing our plans because he's out on a run.

I am also involved with the General Federation of Women's Club - Junior Membership. We help out a lot of people and volunteer for many causes. I've done that for 15 years and I'm on the State Executive Committee.

 

[aprilgail2]

I do work for a foundation that helps out sick children and needy kids....I started tehre the year they helped my godson with cancer out before he died and that year they had a toy drive in his name and from that day on I help out there every year.

 

[stacy347]

The elementary school PTO ~ I just popped in one day a few years back to see what kind of stuff goes on in there.
After realizing that our kids would have virtually none of the extras that they do (because of state budget cuts), I decided to pitch in and do whatever I could to help. I don't have a lot of free time but I do try to get to all the meetings and help with fundraisers, etc.

I still to this day can't believe that out of the close to 500 kids in our school, we have NEVER had more than a dozen parents at any PTO meeting in the last 4 years

 

[Twinkles6892]

I'm a Candy Striper

No, no bed pans, mostly just charts, and other behind the scenes stuff that makes life easier for the doctors, nurses, and ultimately the patients. We do work with patients, but mostly transporting people to appointments.

I got involved because my mom and grandmother forced me. But I made some really awesome friends, that I still have (we only voulenteer in the summer) and we all plan on going back next year

 

[Talking Hands]

I volunteer as a sign language interpreter at my church as well as co-teach a small group for the members in sign language, teach sign language to hearing members who are interested and am a greeter for the small group for women's ministry.

 

[Pugdog007]

I volunteer for Alabama Pug Rescue. I chose this because I love the breed and there are too many being discarded & neglected.

 

[Forevryoung]

My husband has been a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years. I consider that a family accomplishment because we are involved too, whether it's serving chicken bbq at a fundraiser or changing our plans because he's out on a run.

I've been a voly for 6 years now and I know we really appreciate our families for the support they give us to do what we do. It is a HUGE time commitment that most people dont realize. It's not just 30+ hours a month of his time, it's time he could be spending with you and your children too. Thank you for allowing him to serve his community.

 

[GEM]

I do a lot of volunteer work with the March of Dimes. My son was born 13 weeks prematurely at 1lb and 7oz, so it's a cause that's close to my heart. I do a lot of speaking to various groups to try and get them to sponsor different MoD events. I talk about the problem of prematurity, tell Paul's story, show slides and let them look at things like the tiny diapers from the NICU, etc. We have also participated in the "Walk America" event for the past three years. This fall, our family team (Paul's Pals) won the trophy for raising the most money for our walk - $1,484! We are also serving as one of our state ambassador families this year, which has been great. We're doing lots of awareness stuff - luncheons, fundraisers, educational programs, etc.

 

[goofyshell]

I think it's awesome that everyone enjoys volunteering!
I am on the excutive committee for our local Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). I have also been volunteering one morning a week at the kid's grade school since my oldest started (seven years ago now and the baby just started kindergarten!). I did the PTO for a few years. Right now I go listen to kids read one day a week. I love it.

 

[Kteacher]

I'm a GS leader, and I also volunteer at the Homework Club 2 afternoons a week at the after school homework club at school. Every year I also do the costumes for our school musical ( some years it's been as many as 80 costumes ) . This year it will probably be closer to 30 costumes. I'm also active politically. Right now I'm working on campaigns for statewide elections as well as co-ordinating the signature petitions for my congressman. I'm going to the State Democratic convention as an elected delegate. I used to be an adult ESL tutor through the town library, but the woman I worked with for over 6 years just moved back to South Korea, so I'm not working with anyone right now.