volunteer my time

So many people have helped out my family during our time of need between the pregnancy care center, the trift store/food pantry and our church, that I feel its time to give back. What better way to show my appreciation than to help others in need. Ive been thinking about asking to volunteer at the Pregnancy care center and maybe even the day care during church. I just know that I need to do something.

Pretty much my favorite days of 2006 and 2007 were the ones when the paper I work at had our toy giveaway and I got to feel like I was actually DOING something for someone else. I want more of that feeling and more often.

I’m on the literacy council here, but apart from planning events and hooking people up with tutors, there’s not much that can be done with that. I’m going to seriously look into becoming a reading tutor myself or maybe just sign up to do some work at the hospital or at one of the soup kitchens we have around here. If I thought I were mature enough, I think I’d dig being a Big Sister, but that’s going to require some serious thought.

for another trail project today:

Join REI-Boulder and the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks for trail restoration and erosion control work on sections of Mt. Sanitas.

Mt Sanitas is one of the most highly used and impacted areas of the Boulder trail system, and is in need of help. Give back a little to Mother Nature and help us restore these areas of Mt. Sanitas. Please come prepared for moderate to strenuous work, and bring extra water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, work gloves, and sturdy footwear. Pre-registration is required. The project is limited to 30 volunteers so sign up early!

Dates 11/3/2007 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

I’m a little nervous about this one- the difficulty is rated as “Difficult.” The project I did last year was rated moderate and it kicked my ass! I may spend the evening sleeping today ;)

Sophia Garden is a cute little CSA farm out in Amityville New York in the backyard of a convent, of all places – and they are so appreciative of my weekly weed-pulling it’s well worth the half hour drive each way. I like the idea but also the feeling i get from volunteering my time…I have arranged my schedule so that i can continue even as my semester starts next week.

Girls on the Run had their annual 5K run two weeks ago. I volunteered to be on the course…directing flow and of course, cheering the runners on! It was great to see the faces of those little girls as our cheers recharged their batteries! I even saw a few of my students as they passed and waved. It was a really nice event to be a part of. Best of all, even though it rained most of the morning, their spirits were up and ready to go. So motivating.

Well I’m now regularily volunteering my time. I became a Big Sister earlier this year and it’s a lot of fun!

I climbed the CN Tower today in support of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and I have to say that it was a great experience. Not only did I raise $255 dollars, but I had a grand old time laughing it up with friends and countless others who, for some reason, signed up to endure such torture! It really wasn’t torture, just a really nice workout. I’m feeling pretty good right about now, but I think I hear a nice hot shower calling my name.

I received a call from the McMichael Art Gallery today. I was told that they were “very impressed” with my resume and my experience with children and they wanted to know if I could go in this week to start training as a docent. I’m so happy this is all working out!

I got in touch with the director of Girls on the Run…it looks like the season has started already…I’m 3 measly weeks late!!! But all is not lost…I’ll get to help with their 5K race in late May…and she spoke to me about participating with the ScotiaBank Waterfront 5, 1/2 and full marathon…as well as working for them during their camp sessions! So let’s just say that I’m excited with starting on this. I’m also sending in an application to be a Docent (essentially a historian/guide) for the McMicheal Art Gallery. I’m very excited…things are looking good on this front.

I’ve always been a volunteer…always given my time to various causes…perhaps even motivated a few friends to help out too. But it seems that recently I’ve let it slide and haven’t done much.

So I’ve been checking out a few causes that I’d like to be a part of. I’m going to choose a few, see how they work out for me and go from there.

Sketch

Girls on the Run

TRCA

Habitat for Humanity

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