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A Green Heart
By Margie Church
Since I don't always have extra money to donate, my time and talents are what I can share. When I've worked shoulder to shoulder for the good of somebody or something else greater than my own situation, I've made new friends, gained greater appreciation for others, and darn it, volunteering just made me feel good.
When I first began pitching in, I was really afraid that if I showed up once, I'd be stuck for life. A reasonable fear, I think, when sometimes the only qualification seems to be whether you can cast a shadow. I came to realize I was making excuses for not becoming involved, and lots of times I was making comments from where I call "the cheap seats." I was a lurker with attitude.
I started small with a couple hours every now and then on a project or activity at school, church or the community. Some of it I enjoyed; some was drudgery and even the drudgery I sometimes did more than once because it needed doing. I've tried to remember no task is menial when it needs doing. One day, I may be asked to do that task or somebody will need to do it for me. When I'm the giver I, try to do the job with grace.
I don't have lots of time to donate, but I notice when I haven't volunteered for awhile – even if it's slinging chow for the marching band one Saturday afternoon – something feels out of synch in my life. I guess that's a good example of doing something small that brought joy. Can you walk a dog or shop groceries for a senior every now and then? Ring the bell for charity? Wash clothes? Give a ride, pack meals, write thank you notes, rake a yard, chaperone an outing, bake for a funeral, or call to say hello? How about read to a child, help with homework, babysit for a stressed single parent, or lend an ear to a teen? The possibilities are limitless if you're open to them. Financial contributions are important, but hands and feet run the world.
Think about it. Get your heart green.
Margie
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Good morning, Becca! Thanks for making the entire page my favorite color, too! It's a pleasure to be here. I'd love to learn where people like to volunteer and how. Please tell me!
ReplyDeleteHi Margie. Great post today. Right now my free time is dedicated to the church. This summer I coordinated and wrote the Vacation Bible School program. Now we're crafting for the annual Christmas Bazaar in November.
ReplyDeleteI also volunteer at my daughters' schools when I can. This year our school district lost all but one of its librarians because of budget cuts, so she spreads here time among all our schools and the parents are helping to staff the library when they can.
Keep up the great work!
Cheryl
Way to volunteer, Cheryl! I am a greeter and lector at my church. I've also run our parish festival seven years. We have a huge parish and it's such a fun way to meet people and give back to my parish community. Thank you for coming by!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Margie!! I try to do volunteer things in my neighborhood helping with the foodshelf and in my church. I know that feeling when you've gone too long without doing something. Doing the right thing is adictive if you're doing it with the right attitude and for the right reasons :) Great post!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Margie. I used to do a lot of beach cleanups and parks...and neighborhood watch volunteering. Lately I've gotten so busy that I let a lot of it fall away. But Heather at Decadent Publishing is a big volunteer for Relay for Life and is forming a team over there for the American Cancer Society. So, I'm excited to see what help they need that I can provide.
ReplyDeleteWritten and posted by Kate Richards
Hey Steph! I haven't volunteered at the food shelf but my kids have. My newest service is Feed My Starving Children. I really have fun going there with the kids and the youth group. I also pour time into drumline and boy scouts. Gotta help where you can.
ReplyDeleteKate, Relay is such an uplifting/inspiring cause and so cool to participate in.
Thanks for the positive post. It could generate some plot ideas, too.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Janet, especially for young adult books. Thank you for visiting!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the reason more people don't volunteer is fearing of being stuck doing it over and over. I found that out through volunteering at my kids' old school. Once I did it one time, they called constantly. I had to explain that I loved helping, but it wasn't something I could do every weekend there was a game because I had more than one child who did various activities.
ReplyDeleteVolunteering, however, does the heart good!
Nice blog post!
Hi Margie,
ReplyDeleteVolunteering is the greatest stress reliever. No matter how tired I am beforehand, I'm always wide awake after a couple of hours working with one of the local youth groups.
Hi Becca!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the green!!!
Hi Margie!
In the past I donated food for the needy or money to good causes and thought that was enough. Over my Labor Day Weekend I volunteered for my family to host a lunch at The Lunch Box, a local facility that provides meals for the poor and homeless. I coordinated the food donations and volunteers. Technichally my family could have handled it. My kids have been volunteering at The Lunch Box for years. And while I'd routinely donated food, I'd never actually been there. This year I decided I wanted to be a part of it with my family. So instead of staying home to take advantage of the quiet to write, I worked on site preparing, serving and cleaning. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had.
Faith, I totally get your perspective. And sometimes what we think we're going to enjoy we really don't and then we have a hard time saying no. I'm glad you found a good way to balance volunteering with personal boundaries. Some people sure know how to guilt us! Thanks for coming by and I hope you'll keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteMargie
www.romancewithsass.com
Stevie-ICMA. I always feel energized too - at least spiritually - even if I'm physically tired. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteYay, Wendy! I think it's wonderful for our children to see their parents working side by side for the good of others. No matter what the task, it sets an example and creates a memory of a good way to try to live your life.
ReplyDeleteIf you "gave" with grace, when it comes time - and there always will come a time - to be a "receiver" hopefully we can do that with grace, too. You're showing the next generation a better way.
I've been really inspired by everyone's remarks. You all are making a difference. Never forget it. Smile today, knowing it's something easy you also can give away!
Margie