Thoughts on volunteering...
Our shiny new president has been encouraging people to volunteer in their community.
Our local global company, Starbucks, has offered a tall drip cup of coffee to anyone that pledges to volunteer for five hours for the next month.
Now I have volunteered for the animal shelter for several years, I also donate blood, and generally try to lend a hand to when needed.
All this has taught me that volunteering is insanely important to society and a lot of things simply wouldn't get done if it weren't for volunteers.
People will volunteer in a crisis, for religious reasons, or, like me, because they know it has to get done. There have even been some studies that volunteering can improve a person's mood.
Those things being said, volunteering is also a pain in the ass. I use anywhere from four to ten hours of my own time to volunteer. I can't just drop in when I want, since certain jobs have to be done at certain times. It's like having a second job in some ways. I know other people who use even more of their own time than I do and most people who volunteer are also willing to pitch their own money into the mix.
I don't know if more people will find the time and energy to volunteer for something. It certainly will help whatever organization they volunteer for, so that is all to the good. But it can be a tough gig. When you do some, somebody is always asking you to do more. It can be inconvenient. The rewards are not always immediate and obvious, and all the thank you's in the world don't make up for not being able to sleep in on a Saturday.
Still, volunteering is a an important part of life. Consider doing some of it, if you are able.
Our local global company, Starbucks, has offered a tall drip cup of coffee to anyone that pledges to volunteer for five hours for the next month.
Now I have volunteered for the animal shelter for several years, I also donate blood, and generally try to lend a hand to when needed.
All this has taught me that volunteering is insanely important to society and a lot of things simply wouldn't get done if it weren't for volunteers.
People will volunteer in a crisis, for religious reasons, or, like me, because they know it has to get done. There have even been some studies that volunteering can improve a person's mood.
Those things being said, volunteering is also a pain in the ass. I use anywhere from four to ten hours of my own time to volunteer. I can't just drop in when I want, since certain jobs have to be done at certain times. It's like having a second job in some ways. I know other people who use even more of their own time than I do and most people who volunteer are also willing to pitch their own money into the mix.
I don't know if more people will find the time and energy to volunteer for something. It certainly will help whatever organization they volunteer for, so that is all to the good. But it can be a tough gig. When you do some, somebody is always asking you to do more. It can be inconvenient. The rewards are not always immediate and obvious, and all the thank you's in the world don't make up for not being able to sleep in on a Saturday.
Still, volunteering is a an important part of life. Consider doing some of it, if you are able.