Volunteering: What Makes a Good Person?

Let's get right to the point. What makes you a good person? There's more than one way to exercise your humanity. Something as simple as listening to a friend who needs a shoulder to cry on may make as much difference in the life of one person as saving sick children in a foreign country would make for a
larger group of needy individuals. We don't all have the resources to contribute to a bigger group effort. Then again pocket change is worth more than you might think. Just be sure your money will end up being used for the purposes being advertised. Check out the reputation of the charity organization in question. Participating in the "giving tree" doesn't mean you shouldn't exercise caution.

Besides money what can you give? Go ahead, get creative. Missionaries build churches for needy communities in foreign countries. Can't go that far right now? Around Christmas time some relgious organizations ask for wrapped gifts intended for children in Mexico and some work for kids right here in the U.S.A. The Dollar Tree is hosting a special drop box for our troops with no plans to close it up anytime soon. You simply buy a an item you think the troops might find useful or enjoyable and drop it in the box on your way out. Disaster and relief efforts usually accept unopened goods. Your local Goodwill is always a good place to start giving. Look for one of their trucks in your area or stop by one of their stores and do a little shopping. The proceeds go to help the needy.
If you like to shop might as well think of those who can't shop. Many out reach centers have an adjacent thrift store. Funds generated usually provide assistance to families who ask for help with rent and utility bills or to keep the place going. Ask just to be sure. They also accept gently used clothing and unopened prepackaged food. If you just want or need to get rid of old furniture or other household supplys, clothing or books put an ad on Craig's List [online] in the free section. You just might make someone's day.

People aren't the only ones who need help. Check out your local animal shelter. They welcome volunteers. Also, if you know of an animal who is without shelter call in and find out if they have room for one more. Depending upon what it is you find in need of saving you may be able to do it yourself. My family has rescued everything from injured birds to hungry kittens. Just keep in mind wild animals aren't pets. Release them back into nature once they've healed. If you take in a stray canine or feline be certain you take them to the vet for spaying/nurturing and shots right away. If you're going to rescue something do it right.

Volunteer jobs are a great way to gain new skills at any age. You'll learn a lot and feel better about yourself. It's a win-win situation for everybody involved. Some places you can volunteer include [but not limited to} schools, hospitals/hospices, environmental groups and special olympics.
Dipping into your pocket book is an act of generosity in itself, but hands on work puts you closer to what's really going on in your neighborhood.
It's easy to seperate ourselves from someone else's reality until we get up close and see what other people are going through here on planet earth.
Up close and personal you may find that those in need aren't all that different from anyone else. Perhaps you have a wealth of practical skills and knowledge to share with young people or with older students from the school of hard knocks as well. You never know who's life you can change until you try. Find out about programs designed to teach single moms how to get on their feet. Find out what's available and offer your services or start a new organization. Just google or get your phone book out.

Seize the chance to make the world a better place anytime. Why wait for Earth Day if your streets are dirty today? Don't get me wrong. Earth Day is still an awesome idea. ORganize a clean up within the community and get your family involved. All you need are trash bags and plastic gloves. Ask around and you may find that you're not the only one who's fed up with the trash alongside the road. Make the differences you feel need to be made.

My favorite volunteer organization is the doenetwork. Find out what you can do to for the families of lost and unidentified victims. http://www.doenetwork.org You don't have to join the organization in order to search through archives and piece together information. Remember peace of mind is a gift. Personal closure can go a long way. Spread the word. Also, those who join community search efforts during an immediate crisis are appreciated by all those affected. You can look for missing persons the day they disappear or soon after, lead prayer vigils or hand out flyers. Listen when you hear of someone coming up missing in your area and call your local media or police department to find out how to get involved. Think. What if something happened to your child or family member? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Find out what matters most to you. Then, get involved. It's not how much money you give that counts. In the long run how much you care is worth a whole lot. Read to children at the library. Hold a car wash for a group of kids who want to go to camp. Have the kids help out. Knit booties for premature babies. Babysit for a hard working mother free of charge when you are able. When the person in front of you in line comes up short offer to split the difference. Random acts of kindness mean more than some might assume at first thought. There is my opinion such a thing as karma. It doesn't matter so much what you do as long as you're willing to do something. There's more than one way to give someone a jump start. Yes, helping your own family counts. So, you never know when you're going to be needed moms and dads, grandparents too. Good luck and good love.