Volunteering
December 3, 2007
(Def: The term volunteer is contested — there is no one agreed-to definition, and the term is frequently debated. Some say a volunteer is someone who performs or offers to perform service out of his or her own free will, without payment, usually in support of a non-profit organization, mission-based initiative or community. Others say the term volunteer can apply to someone who receives a stipend for his or her service, as long as the volunteer is engaged in full-time service and has no other paid job. The term is usually used for such service to non-profit organizations, civil society organizations or even initiatives that originate in the public sector (schools, city offices, etc.), but not for those who work for free for a for-profit business).
Do you know that your child can make a great volunteering as well? While children volunteer they develop a sense of communication, responsibility, confidence. Moreover, they like it, because in this way child my feel useful, my feel that he can do something others need and appreciate. This is not the only reasons why children should volunteer. It is well know that people, who help others, feel better and trust more in themselves and other people. When children volunteer, they face the reality, they gratify wish to become part of the society. Meeting new people also helps to learn to keep company with different kind of persons.
It is very important these days for teenagers to help other people, because it brings up their sense of responsibility, help them study better, keeps their positive thinking, and it may help them to make a right definition of the word FAMILY.
Volunteering helps people realize, that money isn’t the most important thing in life, that you shouldn’t judge a person just by his or hers belongings.
The main thing on getting your kids to volunteer is to find something they are familiar with, let’s say animals, other children from foster homes or just mother earth. And whatever you do, don’t let your children out collecting alone, remember, there are also bad people in the world, and your children must feel your support.
There are many ways and places you can volunteer in, and here are some examples:
Food Banks
Food banks help the home less; they also serve poor people, who live in the community (especially around the holidays). What could you do;
- collect food
- manage their inventory
- Distribute food to those in need.
Homeless Shelters
In every city there is at least one homeless shelter helping homeless people by supporting them with meals, beds and other services. Most homeless shelters welcome volunteers.
Many city and state parks offer volunteer programs, and in these programs you can do any number of things, including:
- educational programs
- trail construction and maintenance
- pick up/clean up trash
- plant flowers, shrubs, or trees
Helping Others Learn to Read
When you think about it, reading is one of the most important skills an adult can have. Many adults, however, have never learned how to read. Literacy volunteers act as tutors who help illiterate children and adults learn this important skill. There is probably a literacy program in your area.
Senior Citizens Centers
Many senior citizen centers offer volunteer programs to provide friendship and community activities to senior citizens. If you would like working with senior citizens, call a senior citizen center in your neighborhood and see what kinds of volunteer programs they have available.
Environmental Organizations
Numerous environmental groups encourage volunteer support to help with environmental activities. You can help in many ways:
- help lobby on conservation issues
- lead hikes and other activities
- lend a hand at the offices of environmental groups
- start a REUSE, REDUCE, & RECYCLE campaign or ask your local recycling center if there is a project they need done
Libraries
Many libraries need help:
- Re-shelving books
- running children’s programs
- making books available to the community
Blood Banks
Volunteer opportunities exist in blood banks across the country.
800 Number Volunteers
Many 800 help-lines rely on volunteers to staff the phones and handle other tasks. If there is an 800 phone bank in your area, you may be able to volunteer to help out.
Political Campaigns
If it’s an election year, there are thousands of opportunities to volunteer in political campaigns around the country. You can learn more than you imagine by helping a candidate win election. Pick a candidate whose ideas you believe in (either on the local, state or national level) and volunteer to be a part of his or her campaign.
I hope you will consider volunteering as a way of life, or at least as an attitude to life.
Volunteering helps others, but it also helps to build your inner YOU.
