Voluntees Make a Difference

Plenty of Opportunity

Northeastern Pennsylvania is full of volunteer opportunities. There are opportunities in everything from volunteering in medicine and dentistry, to food banks, and of course many volunteer opportunities at the local churches. Just about every local church has a poor fund and a food pantry to help the needy and the less fortunate. As with most people, I wish I had unlimited time and money to donate to local charities, but just like most people, I have very limited resources, so I have to be a good steward of my time and money.

The Announcement

This very day there was an announcement in my local newspaper about volunteerism. The announcement was that Volunteers of America will hold a Square Dance and Polka Party from 7-11 p.m. on August 26 at the Irem Temple County Club Pavilion in Dallas Pennsylvania. The cost is $10 and proceeds benefit local programs of Volunteers of America. There phone number is 570-825-5261.

My Experience

I have taken advantage of two volunteer activities through my local church. I write to prisoners in jail, and I visit nursing homes with a group from my church. I find both of these activities are very rewarding, and I wish more churches would get involved in these Ministries. Writing to prisoners is very rewarding as they look forward to your letters and hearing from you. This can be an important opportunity to improve the Spiritual life of a prisoner as well as those around them. The groups that go to the nursing homes read Bible verses, explain the Gospel, and sing Christian songs. The patients are always glad to see us and seem to really enjoy the program. This is a very important Ministry. For some of these elderly people this could be the last chance to make things right with God.

Source: Community Digest, Volunteers of America Will Hold a Square Dance and Polka Party, The Citizens' Voice, August, 11, 2011. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8193609/food_pantries_make_a_difference.html?cat=5