Volunteering How and Why and Where

I thought I would volunteer after I retired and I guess I did. I helped raise my grandchildren and I did do some projects at church, but I thought I would find the right kind of volunteer work that would make a real difference and bring aid to people and also fulfill me in some way also. That is what I was looking for and hoped to find. I did not want to become a cog in a wheel. I know they need cogs in wheels and I am grateful for them. Maybe, I am selfish, but I wanted something that lifted my spirits and I used my talent, education and ability. Is that selfish or too much to expect.

I have many interests and a lot of education and training and I wanted to find volunteer work that used that and made a difference in human lives every day. I felt guilty and useless, and confused but I could not find what I wanted and it has taken years more than I expected.

I think I have finally found a place to volunteer and it will be working in a center for immigrant women and their families and they need help in every way, but they can also teach me how to be more grateful and how to live with very little and still be grateful. I am also considering working with a couple of other people and I hope I will not be disappointed if I can’t work at the center. I have 2 friends who already work at the center. One teaches art and one teaches English. I worked as a elementary teacher and guidance counselor and I think I can teach most anything to little ones or to parent who do not read or write, but also, I can learn from these people and share their strength in such hard times.

I have heard of a lot of members that volunteer and I think it is good. Our country is troubled right now. I just heard of a group of grannies going to Texas to help with immigrant children and families. We have had Nuns on a bus, and we all need to try to make some difference to make things better. So, volunteering is a good thing and there are thousands of ways to volunteer, but w don’t be like me and wait to long before finding what it is you want to do.

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  1. I volunteer with an animal rescue centre on occasions. I help with the rescue of animals.
    i firmly believe that natural selection isn’t getting the job done with humans
    We need to have a cull.

  2. Waylander. I never know what is real and what is meant to be a joke. I think everything you said is real and the last may also be funny. I can understand your working with animals rescue because you love dogs. We need to find what we really care about to invest our time and feel good about what we do. I did yard work today at our local League of women voters building because I believe that people need to vote. Most worthy causes have very limited budgets so they need as many volunteers in many capacities to do work. Also, when I see so many people working hard for what I feel is the right thing, my faith in humans is nourished. Isn’t that true for you. I know you may see the worst of humanity that would mistreat or neglect animals. You have to know that most people are good people.

  3. Hello Rose…….if you enjoy being with people that is where you have to look……but we in the UK also have phone helplines……..lonely people use them just to have some contact with the outside world, The Samaritans of course do a wonderful job……or even visiting people in their own homes…..helping in day centres for the disabled, physically or mentally……always in need of volunteers…..

  4. Starlette. You have good ideas always. I have thought of phone lines and I still may consider it, I don’t think we have phone lines for the lonely, not that enlightened yet, but we do have suicide hot lines which may also be more sadness that I can take. I am still just looking into things. I am selfish enough to want to get an uplift from the experience and be able to make a difference. Thank you for your help.

  5. I feel that I have volunteered my head off by now. The help I gave in schools, helping teachers, in the library, on the Mother’s Club board organizing to help fund this, that and other things took much time and work. The best feeling of true helping was volunteering for the St. Vincent DePaul Society getting food to those in need, places to live for those in desperate need, bringing holiday baskets to families at the holidays and certificates for them to attain toys for their children at Christmas. This was just sort of mission work, nothing social but one of the best volunteer works for me. Now I just give service to my husband and family and that is enough for me at this stage in life. You do what you can and that is beautiful.

  6. Rose1943, You have had a lot of experience volunteering and I agree, at this age you do what you can. I haven’t done much volunteering the last few years because I didn’t feel up to it. I entered through a lot of changes, but now, hopefully, I will have the energy to volunteer.