Volunteering

[trikkster101]

For his birthday, since it is so close to Christmas, my brother asks for dog chew toys and dog food instead of toys and he donates it to Three Dog Framing by 98 BBQ

 

[Cork On the Ocean]

I am currently in training for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for Children to work with kids going through the court system for abuse, neglect etc. It takes more daytime hours as you have to be in the courtroom with them, you visit them at their home or foster home and act as a liason between them, the social worker and the judge. So kudos to my wonderful co-workers for picking up the slack so I can do that.

I looked into being a special advocate a couple of years ago because I used to be an investigator and thought I could be quite good at it but the more I thought about it, I was apprehensive because I never know where my life will take me tomorrow and the last thing I would want to do is let one of those kids down. It's really a long term committment for someone who plans on being around for some time. Thankyou Cheering

I do a little bit of volunteer work, but never feel like I do enough, or as much as I want to do. Just curious to know how many of you volunteer your time to worthwhile charities or causes, and how much time that might be each week or month. Also, I would be interested in hearing what first peeked your interest in volunteering, and what keeps you coming back, continuing to give.

That's the human nature SJ. Is there ever enough of any good thing? I donate what I can in time and money and don't beat myself up because I didn't do enough. There's no set amount of anything. There's only where you are at which is exactly where you're supposed to be. You're a loving, caring person wanting to do the best you can and so you are beyond many. Sh%$ happens. We get busy. When my dad was sick, I didn't do anything but take care of him and my mom. It's so great now to be able to spend time doing what I love which is "something" meaniful.

What peaked my interest? After I got off of the hamster wheel of pharmacy about 6 years ago, I realized that all the money in the world doesn't bring happiness. I had all the stuff and had seen places that most people only dream of but there was never enough. So I realized that there had to be something more. I did a goal setting course with Tony Robbins and one of my goals was to give back. The instructions were to take one step tomorrow toward each of my goals. The next day, I sent an email to Make-a-wish and that was the start for me. The intense joy that it brought me caused me to pursue more and more, just as you seem to be doing. That's what keeps me coming back. When it moves me deeply, it makes me yearn for me.

Y'all are making me feel like a selfish bi$ch.
I have very often commented to Mr. dbuck that you all are the happiest most up-beat group of people I have ever met, and now I understand why. I do believe that helping others helps us as much as it helps the one actually receiving the help.
I would like to get involved with some volunteer program, but I think it needs to be something that one feels passionately about. I have thought about Habitat for Humanity, I like the whole concept of the recipient having to do some of the work.

You so are not! It's more than upbeat dbuck, eventually I think it brings inner peace - satisfaction - the feeling that if I died tomorrow there's no regrets. I think it also brings self-love when we look in the mirror and can honestly say - "I'm a good person". As time goes on, we lose the need to impress anybody - the loudness, the having to be smarter, richer, prettier, nicer or better in anyway - the ego. When I see others that don't have it so good, I am grateful for everything in my life. Helping others has become a necessity for me and yes as BB said, we get frustrated and tired sometimes but that's fine. We take a break, come back and we're doing the best that we can - knowing that we are only human.

I so agree with Cheering. I try to volunteer and be of service to others in just everyday life. I've discovered best gift you can give to yourself is the giving of yourself to others with a simple helping hand or a much appreciated smile and hello. Such an indescribable feeling to help those in times of need, but I feel I'm preaching to the choir here.

The one bit of service that affected me the most was the 4 months I spent in Sri Lanka over the past 2 years building homes for tsunami victims. It started out as a month long whim after the initial disaster but went back last year with more friends and money after starting a non-profit to build 7 homes. Our detailed experience is at work-works.org.

That trip took a lot out of me in many aspects but I'm always looking for my next big "project" so I love reading all the local organizations you all are helping. Keep the ideas coming!

To answer SJ question of what keeps you coming back, is that feeling that there is no higher calling than to be of service to your fellow man. Especially to those who don't expect it but need it most.

I would love to talk to you about the trip to Sri Lanka. I've thought of the peace corps but the timing hasn't been there yet. I've found that FEMA is absolutely useless when disasters hit and the only way to ever get on the ground is with an independent organization. Will definitely check at works-works.org. I have so many questions about a trip like that and maybe something that has held me back is the fact that I would be alone not knowing anyone. So would love to know of anyone getting a trip together.

Ditto on the "especially to those who don't expect it". My rule for what I work with is that I do or speak for those who can't do or speak for themselves.

But the best volunteering has to go to my daughter. For the past two years, she has given up getting presents for her birthday and instead raised money for Best Friends Animal Society and the LSU Vet School for Katrina animals. When she saw the first videos of the animals in the floods, she said she wanted to help, so we checked into the different charities, and decided on those two. She started a lemonade stand in front of GiGi's (complete with pamphlets and pictures of the animals) and got a couple friends to help her. She raised quite a bit of money! We have taken food for PAWS to Fort Walton - if there was a shelter close by, that's where she would be! On top of all of this I work full time. So, please go easy on me when I'm posting, I'm probably just tired!

Kids have so much compassion and are so connected to others. We lose that as we age it seems. No beating up on you girl, just kudos.

I go with a local pet therapy group called PAWS (pets are working saints), we go to Delta Health Care and Crystal Bay assisted living the second Monday of each month with our dogs. We are on a summer break right now, but I've been doing it for about 5 years and I cannot begin to tell you how rewarding it is to see the elders eyes light up and listen to them tell their stories about when they had a dog. Funny... sometimes I hear the same story each month, but love it just the same. It's as rewarding for me as it is for them. Such a simple thing too.

Cough up the link please. I've been looking for an organization that does this in the area. I love the elderly and so many of them have nobody so a little smile or even a light in their eyes goes a long way in the "feel good" arena.

We are always in need of volunteers at Alaqua Animal Refuge. We are the only shelter in Walton County and we are a no-kill facility. We need all types of volunteers - hands on, off-site adoptions, administrative - you name it! It is a tranquil place to spend your volunteer time.

Planning on coming up this week

What a great thread SJ. Thank you.

 

[4dogs]

Where to begin

I have done a variety of volunteering:
Destin Fishing Rodeo Board member, Vice Pres of Destin Woman?s Club, Foster Parent, Larry Hatchet Fishing FUND, Master Gardener, Therapy Dog Handler (go to nursing homes etc. with my dogs), Humane Society of the United States (I spent 2 weeks helping in Louisiana and Mississippi after Katrina), DART (Disaster Animal Rescue Team), Walton County Animal Advisory Board, Covenant Hospice,

The one thing that consumes my life is my dedication to helping animals and people. I was the first person in Walton County to actively start doing dog adoptions. I have slowed down some now as there are two other groups doing rescue now in Walton County. At times I would have 20 dogs in my home awaiting adoption. There are so many animals in need it is overwhelming. It has not stopped at dogs either. There have been many cats that have been helped by me.

I have a passion for helping the elderly, no formal volunteering. Just helping people out where I can. I have done free haircuts at the senior center, given many a ride, helped with animal related problems, just checking in on someone by going by or calling. There are so many lonely seniors out there, who just can not get out and about like they use to.

Anyone who reads this who has thought about volunteering, it does not take much to lend a hand to someone in need. It is a great stress reliever as well. It is not about the acknowledgement of what you have done it is the fact that it was the right thing to do.

 

[Cork On the Ocean]

I have done a variety of volunteering:
Destin Fishing Rodeo Board member, Vice Pres of Destin Woman?s Club, Foster Parent, Larry Hatchet Fishing FUND, Master Gardener, Therapy Dog Handler (go to nursing homes etc. with my dogs), Humane Society of the United States (I spent 2 weeks helping in Louisiana and Mississippi after Katrina), DART (Disaster Animal Rescue Team), Walton County Animal Advisory Board, Covenant Hospice,

The one thing that consumes my life is my dedication to helping animals and people. I was the first person in Walton County to actively start doing dog adoptions. I have slowed down some now as there are two other groups doing rescue now in Walton County. At times I would have 20 dogs in my home awaiting adoption. There are so many animals in need it is overwhelming. It has not stopped at dogs either. There have been many cats that have been helped by me.

I have a passion for helping the elderly, no formal volunteering. Just helping people out where I can. I have done free haircuts at the senior center, given many a ride, helped with animal related problems, just checking in on someone by going by or calling. There are so many lonely seniors out there, who just can not get out and about like they use to.

Anyone who reads this who has thought about volunteering, it does not take much to lend a hand to someone in need. It is a great stress reliever as well. It is not about the acknowledgement of what you have done it is the fact that it was the right thing to do.

4 Dogs, just want to thank you. I read your other thread about Winston and some of the other dogs. You're a wonderful person for helping those guys. I am really swamped with something right now but would like to come check out the babies that you have and see if I might be able to help as a foster for a little while. Please PM me and let me know your location and depending on where you are, I might be able to make it in the coming week. Thanks for all you do!

 

[ASH]

All that and she sells some really yummy eggs.

 

[Jdarg]

School has either begun or is starting soon - don't forget the schools when considering where to spend your volunteer hours!!

Reading with children for 1 hour a week is not a huge time commitment, and there are many other volunteer opportunities available at schools all over the US.

Some other ideas: Call a school and...

*Ask if you can donate school supplies for families in need (also clothing)

*Work on school beautification/landscaping/special projects that a school might not have the time or money to do

*Help a teacher with mundane tasks that take her away from teaching

 

[Miss Kitty]

Yay, jdarg! If you complain about said schools, you must volunteer twice as much!

 

[winddancer]

I was a volunteer firefighter/first responder and did dispatch out of my home for about 7 years. It was an amazing and rewarding experience. Spent many a night out on I-10 dodging semi's usually in the worst possible weather. Of course I did the usual "mom" volunteering stuff when my kids were small..y'know: team mother, scorekeeper, concession stand, chauffeur, etc