Community Service and Volunteering Options in Your Town

Most of us have asked ourselves, at least once, "How could I help my community?" or said, "I don't have any special skills. Why should I volunteer?" This is a good question. There are actually many things that people of all ages can do to help with in their own communities, and every community needs help. Right now, most communities are suffering from a financial crunch and barely have enough money to hire staff members to take care of basic needs; and, in some cases, not even that. The community must turn to volunteers to keep things running smoothly. But, unfortunately, most communities have a severe shortage of volunteers.

There is room for people from all walks of life to participate in community service.

Just a few places crying for volunteers are schools who need people willing to spend an hour or so a week listening to children read; various local groups needing help to organize events to raise money for cancer and heart disease research; the meals on wheels program for drivers to deliver meals to elderly shut-ins; youth camps that need counselors to supervise young campers; and neighborhood watch groups formed to keep an eye out for any unusual activity in your very own neighborhood. The list is endless.

Men and women alike can be involved in activities that benefit their community. Both can coach sports teams for local recreation organizations like Kidsports or the YMCA. These can be fun jobs because you get to work closely with children and get involved with a sport you may have played as a child. Adults can also participate in fund raiser walks, marathons, bakes sales, etc. If you are a good seamstress you can make tote bags or clothing for children in the community. Women and men can cook for elders or at a mission; there are so many things to do.

There are also many volunteer opportunities for teenagers, including things that are a lot of fun. Schools often need help running sports games and other events. This is a good opportunity for teens to get involved in school and learn new things at the same time. Teens can go to rest homes and read books to senior citizens there. A teen could volunteer at the police department and file papers, or at a meal program for less fortunate people and clean tables. There are even running and walking fund raisers teens can volunteer for including Relay for Life and the Breast Cancer awareness walk.

Senior citizens often feel like they cannot help with anything, but they are wrong. There are many things seniors can do to help the community. Seniors who go to a meals program can volunteer to wash dishes, clean tables, vacuum, or serve food to other seniors while they are there. These aren't very hard jobs and are at the same location the senior would be at anyway so extra transportation would not be involved. Many seniors have an abundance of free time, which means they could sew bags, clothing, hats, and many other things to help people who have nothing. Even if they are confined to their homes, most seniors have the ability to phone other shut-ins and chat a while to brighten the day of that person.

A common reason some people give for not volunteering is that they have no time. This may be true, but there are many "at home" things that can fit into rare, spare moments in any busy schedule. Sewing, baking, making calls to shut-ins, or keeping up web sites are just a few things that can be done from home.

Volunteering doesn't have to be a big, time-consuming event in your life. There are literally dozens of little things you can do that will really help, without disrupting your own schedule.

If you are interested in doing volunteer work, you can access the internet http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/ to find volunteer information for your own community.

When you help someone else you benefit not only that person, but also yourself. If you don't believe me, try it and see.