Who does regular volunteer work?

[Karen from VA]

In the New Year goals thread, someone mentioned that one of their goals was to do more volunteer work. That's been one of my goals since retiring, but I've put it off because I selfishly just love being by myself, walking/running, reading, keeping house and cooking for DH and me and being free to travel with him on his occasional business travels. But I really feel a need to GIVE more of my time. How many of you do regular volunteer work, and what do you do?
Karen

[Jessica]

I volunteer once a month at the history museum in town. I work in the galleries, answering questions and introducing supplemental materials to visitors. For example, in the family history exhibit we look at old household implements, like a butter churn, rug beater and darning egg.

[BarbaraL]

I've been a deacon in my church, and participated in various events through the church. Latest venture was working for a few hours sorting food at the community foodbank. I've also help out with various school activities, and participate in my company's theatre group production (proceeds all go to charity).

[Laura]

Other than helping out at school lunch, school fundraisers and reading with students I don't volunteer. I did read an article about hospitals in big cities (which I guess I live in now http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif) that need people to come in and hold babies that have often been abandoned by moms who were on drugs. I definitely am interested in that.

[Leanne]

It is definitely not regular for me - but I try to do it when I can - usually when someone else has coordinated an effort. I have worked on a variety of projects & all have been fun & rewarding -
Hands on Atlanta (I'm sure your city has something similar - cleaning up schools, parks, etc)
Habitat for Humanity
Food Kitchens
Women's shelters
Angel Trees at Christmas

[kendra]

If you like the outdoors and are interested in seeing it saved for your children, I recommend volunteering for The Nature Conservancy (www.tnc.org to find a chapter near you). It is a really great organization to volunteer for - you'll get some exercise and also learn a bit more about the natural ecosystems around you!

[Jodi]

I volunteer for the literacy council teaching adults to read. I'm just starting with a new group of 4 ESL (English as a Second Language) students. Tomorrow night is our first working session. I also read to students at elementary schools and children in hospitals. (Can you tell that literacy is my pet project?)
Jodi

Laura, I used to volunteer holding babies born with drug addictions because their mothers took drugs while pregnant, but I was so affected that I'd cry the entire time and the nurses had to ask me to not come back because it wasn't good for the babies for me to be so upset. What can I say -- I cry at Hallmark commericals, too.

[Denise]

I foster australian shepards. Its really fun having a dog around the house when its convenient and the group I work with pays for everything. All I have to do is give them a little live and attention and a place to live for a week or two. Its nice too because if I'm going to leave town I just don't take in a dog until I have a bit of free time. Most of them are rescued from humane societies and would have been killed if we didn't take them in. They voted me volunteer of the year for 2000!! The dogs love the homemade dog bisquits I made from a recipe I got on this site!!

[This message has been edited by Denise (edited 01-02-2001).]

[Mousie29]

(Atlanta) Inner city ministry, tutoring elementary age students through our church. I love to tutor and help little ones learn to read. That's where my heart is.

Also, many miscellaneous things at our church and visiting sick/elderly family/family friends.

It's so hard to fit it in (I like things you do), but I've decided to "schedule" it as priority.

[sk8grl]

Karen-

What a great goal for 2001! I used to be a volunteer counselor at a local crisis pregnancy center, and enjoyed that a lot. Currently, I volunteer weekly as a children's Bible Study leader (5th & 6th graders). It's wonderfully rewarding and I love working with kids. Even the leaders' meetings at 7:00 AM Saturday mornings are a joy--and believe me, I am NOT a morning person!

I think whatever you do as a volunteer, it should be something you are passionate about. Whether it's your faith, the environment, illiteracy, whatever--you'll be less likely to get discouraged or give up if it's something that's meaningful to you personally.

Good luck, and be sure to let us know where you end up! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Libby

[Mousie29]

sk8rgl Libby,
You must be involved with Bible Study Fellowship? My husband and I are here in Atlanta, and he's a discussion leader. We love it.

[SusieO]

My favorite volunteer project was with the Junior Achievement in-school program. I taught eighth graders about economics. The time commitment was minimal: one hour a week for eight weeks, and the curriculum and all materials were provided by JA. The kids in the class were a pleasure to work with, and I really enjoyed the experience.

[sk8grl]

Mousie29--

Wow, you're good! It is indeed BSF. I was a DL for 3 years and am now in my second year as a CL (along with my husband, who's in his 3rd year). I'm always excited to meet other BSF'ers... glad you guys enjoy it so much, too!

Libby

P.S. Am in the middle of "Created for Commitment," the autobiography of the woman who started BSF. I can't believe it's taken me this long to get around to reading it... Anyway, if you haven't read it before I highly recommend it!

[diane]

I have been volunteering for Meals on Wheels for about 4 years. I deliver meals to the elderly, handicapped, etc several times a month. I got started doing this because I got a speeding ticket and needed to do community work so the ticket would not increase my insurance. Well, I did my 20 hours and have continued with it for 4 years. They also have other services to volunteer for at Meals on Wheels. I just takes my lunch hour (about 40-50 minutes) and I am done. I ususally eat lunch while I work so it gets me out of the office.

[Tiger]

For years I volunteered at a hospital and for special olympics. Now most of my volunteer work is done at my son's school.
My husband is a volunteer firefighter which takes up alot of time. I feel I'm a part of this volunteer program since I deal with him leaving the house at anytime.(It never fails it is usually when we're sitting down to dinner, or last week on Christmas when someone's tree caught fire)
Usually people get more out of volunteering than who they are helping!!

[Peggy]

Most of my regular volunteer work revolves around children. For the past 5 years I have been a Girl Scout Leader for my daughter's troop. It has been very rewarding and all the meetings and activities keep me quite busy. I also volunteer at her school whenever the need arises - tutoring, field trips, room mother. That is all my schedule allows at this time.

Peggy

[LSB]

I've volunteered for the past few years for an organization here in Northern VA that brings the joy of reading to kids in homeless and domestic abuse shelters. It's a great experience being with the kids and reading with them. We give them books at the end of each night that they can keep. On days that I think I'm too tired or just not in the mood, I always feel so much better after going there. I think volunteereing does as much for the volunteer as for the recipient!

[ginny177]

I'm involved with three small organizations - two having to do with animals and one supporting local arts in my rural area.
Since it's a job nobody ever seems to want, I've ended up as treasurer for all three. A few times a year it gets quite frantic when all three are staging their major annual fund raisers, but the rest of the year it's mostly monthly meetings and work I can do at home. Love it.

[Karen from VA]

LSB, that sounds like something I might be interested in. Would you please tell me the name of the organization? Thanks
Karen

[KristaMB]

I also volunteer with the adult literacy program. I volunteer after work twice a week with two differenr learners. It has been extremely rewarding for me.

[LSB]

Karen - the name of the org is The Reading Connection. They have a website: thereadingconnection.org. (Sorry - I don't know how to input a link). They're always looking for more people! Thanks.