Do You Volunteer?

[00Syd]

Unfortunately the last time I really volunteered for anything (not counting small, short-term things here and there) was in Elementary school when I volunteered for a local soup kitchen every week for a couple of years. I helped set up, serve the food, and clean up afterwards.

When I stop being a simultaneously stressed out and lazy college student, I want to volunteer for... I don't know. Something good. Maybe the same soup kitchen.

My mom has really been an inspiration to me, lately. She stopped working last year because of a disability, and started spending the majority of her time volunteering for what seems like every pro-health care reform organization in NYC. I'm really proud of her, and its so great to see her doing something that she cares about so passionately.

 

[lickjen]

i deliver meals to the elderly in my area once a month. its not much but contributing none the less! and for some of these people their daily delivered meal is the only one they eat

 

[Bandit58]

I used to be volunteer librarian at my children's school, which involved one afternoon a week issuing and returning/shelving books (and chasing up overdues!). I also took new books home and covered and catalogued them (it was a manual system).

That became part of my teacher aide job in the year I left my husband, but all ended when the hours were cut and they decided to employ someone else and I had to move

I don't get the time to volunteer for anything nowadays.

 

[caela]

Never been much of a volunteer. I'm not good at dealing with the public lol but I wanted to help people at the same time which was part of why I went into healthcare. The not being good at dealing with people part is why I work in surgery. Sleeping patients just don't bitch and whine at you and since I'm not the RN I don't have to get them, or take them to recovery so I basically only have to deal with them while they're asleep.

I get to help people get better without ever having to actually deal with their crap. It's perfect for me.

 

[Netzach]

Never been much of a volunteer. I'm not good at dealing with the public lol but I wanted to help people at the same time which was part of why I went into healthcare. The not being good at dealing with people part is why I work in surgery. Sleeping patients just don't bitch and whine at you and since I'm not the RN I don't have to get them, or take them to recovery so I basically only have to deal with them while they're asleep.

I get to help people get better without ever having to actually deal with their crap. It's perfect for me.

My mom was studying to be an OR tech, and she was trying to convince me to do it too, she pointed out that everyone would be asleep and I was like "you know it suddenly sounds not so bad."

 

[celticsunspiral]

Yes, I kind of count my job as volunteer work even though I get paid, because I spend so many unpaid hours working.

In addition I help plan, execute and run a daycamp for a week over the summer for over 200 kids.

I really believe in volunteer work, and I have raised my daughter to believe in it also.

 

[patrick1]

I used to volunteer for things I thought I ought to do, and tied myself up in knots.

Now I volunteer to do things I'm reasonably good at, and enjoy doing. It's good fun, as long as I remember to resign from the committee second meeting after I foolishly joined it (but I'm still happy to help with...).

 

[yourmissl]

What an awesome group!

Over the years I've been quite politically involved and have also worked with domestic abuse shelters, homeless shelters, schools, hospitals, etc.

Somehow, though, in the last few years I've become a "go-to" person for animal rescues, and this seems to take up most of my time these days. At the moment we have a total of thirteen animals - and just when I think I've reached my limit (I don't live on a farm!), some sweet, huge dog is dumped at the side of the road and my phone rings, and.... I just can't say no.

It can get a bit nuts at times, but is ultimately so rewarding, and I've matched up so many animals with wonderful homes... makes everybody happy, yes?

Spay & neuter! (Steps down from bandwagon after adding, "Please" for the Doms.)

 

[yourmissl]

Also, I've been attempting to set up a local/state/??? "swap" group... computerized.... but the tax issue is, not surprisingly, problematic.

 

[729b4l]

I used to be very politically involved (before I realized that everyone there was just out for themselves, very big egos you know). Now...I work two days a week for Habitat For Humanity. We do good and it's a great "Retired Guys Club".

 

[graceanne]

i deliver meals to the elderly in my area once a month. its not much but contributing none the less! and for some of these people their daily delivered meal is the only one they eat

I've been seriously considering volunteering one or two days a week delivering for meals on wheels or loaves and fishes when my kids are all in school full time. I can't do it now, cause my son gets out at noon and that's lunch time.

I used to be volunteer librarian at my children's school, which involved one afternoon a week issuing and returning/shelving books (and chasing up overdues!). I also took new books home and covered and catalogued them (it was a manual system).

I did that for a couple of summers for summer reading program. I stopped after I got sick. I might take it back up when the kids are a bit older.

 

[Gil_T2]

When my health was better I was a volunteer on the board of directors for a public housing, a womens housing & a mental health housing associations as well as the only volunteer job I still do at the speedway on the fire rescue team as I've had around 30 years experience doing this job, I'm usually the training person for any new members that join but think my time is comming to an end doing this as well due to my health making it harder & harder.

When younger I also served with the local Surf Life Saving club.

 

[Gil_T2]

I used to be volunteer librarian at my children's school, which involved one afternoon a week issuing and returning/shelving books (and chasing up overdues!). I also took new books home and covered and catalogued them (it was a manual system).

That became part of my teacher aide job in the year I left my husband, but all ended when the hours were cut and they decided to employ someone else and I had to move

I don't get the time to volunteer for anything nowadays.

You have a full time 24/7 job caring & putting up with my health & it's crazy swings from one problem to another.

 

[graceanne]

You have a full time 24/7 job caring & putting up with my health & it's crazy swings from one problem to another.

Yeah, I think she's busy enough. LOL

 

[Cattypuss]

Thanks to this thread, I've been invited to my first retraining session (to become a Samaritan again) a week from tomorrow

 

[Gil_T2]

Yeah, I think she's busy enough. LOL

I should of put 30/8 because she sure puts in more hours than 24/7 every day.

 

[graceanne]

Thanks to this thread, I've been invited to my first retraining session (to become a Samaritan again) a week from tomorrow

Yay! That is so cool!

I should of put 30/8 because she sure puts in more hours than 24/7 every day.

I hear that. lol

 

[eastern sun]

I am very active in my children's schools, fundraising and grantwriting, serving on the School Leadership Team and PTA Executive Boards. I'm also a Learning Leader, and teach basic art appreciation classes with visits to the city museums. And I offer free workshops and storytelling performances to my children's schools.

I never think I'm doing enough.