volunteer again

i’m going to a blood donor clinic next Thursday and i’ve decided to ask about becoming a hospitality volunteer. there’s not much orientation required, you just have to sign up, read a bit of literature and that’s about it. basically, you just slap on a name tag and be super-nice – keep the snacks flowing, thank everybody for coming so they want to come back again, and unassumingly observe the donors to make sure they’re alright after donation.

i like the donation process, it’s very positive and friendly. i’d like to get involved more if i can :)

volunteering is one of those great things where, ideally, the choice is yours – they want you; so rarely is there a painful interview process where they can deny/grant you the pleasure of working for them. and you’re not really working FOR whatever organization anyway, you’re giving yourself to the people who really need you – not just reporting to Janice in the HR department ;)

so since i have that pick and choose option, here’s some things that attract me:

Turning Points is a great group in the city nearest to me, they offer free resources – mainly daycare – to teen mothers who are trying to finish school and/or work. this non-profit really speaks to me, because i was a teen mom, and i remember how i felt when good people reached out to lend me a hand. Turning Points is always looking for volunteers to play with the babies, prepare snacks, change diapers and rock them to sleep. i’d love to throw in a few hours a week when i get a vehicle on the road and am able to drive city-bound myself. i don’t even have to go out of my way – i can put in some time before i grocery shop.

i’m also interested in giving some time to The Salvation Army. in what capacity i don’t now, but they’ve helped me in the past and i want to return the favor.

same goes for one of the local Baptist church congregations. although i’m not a member or even practice any particular religion, the members of this church have helped me astronomically and i’d love to show my gratitude in some way.

i remember how much i loved to create as a little girl, and think back at elementary school art classes fondly, so i was disappointed when my son David didn’t have much time devoted to art when he started school. my favorites were always the coloring contests. i’d like to talk to school admins and discuss maybe sponsoring a few coloring/drawing contests throughout the school years(s) – sponsoring them either as a private citizen or as a (future) business. encouraging creativity, healthy competition, and de-stressing/de-boring kids sounds good to me.

i’d also like to involve my dog, once (if ever) he’s at the acceptable point in his behavior. i had dreams before i even got my dog to be a therapeutic animal handler – you know, visiting children’s hospitals, person’s with special needs, seniors and shut-ins, and having my dog become a personality to help raise funds for the aforementioned.

i’ve had a bad experience in the past volunteering. i don’t want to pine over the details, but i will say that i was disrespected and treated unfairly. i also retaliated; all and all, it’s just a bad memory that soured me on volunteering for a long time.

but i feel the urge to give myself again. i donated some blood yesterday, and that just solidified the feelings i’ve been having.

i would really like to put some effort into something that i enjoy. i thought about volunteering at the local visitors center this summer, but i really think i’d only be doing it it build up my resume – it wouldn’t be very fulfilling.

ideally, i’d like to do something meaningful; an act that will have a deeper significance to others. i hope i find something soon before i get disenchanted.