Tips for getting started in volunteering from an excellentsource
One of my favorite television shows of all time is Extreme Makeover Home Edition. And not just because I’ve been a huge fan of Ty Pennington’s since his days on Trading Spaces. In another life, I would’ve gone into carpentry. A little known secret is that I loved woodworking classes in school – I even built a lingerie cabinet out of purple heart and maple wood my senior year that placed 1st at the district level and 3rd in the state fair competition! Yes, 11 years later that little beauty is still standing at my mom’s house back in Minnesota!
More than that though, I love the idea behind the show. I love what Ty, Paul, Paige and the rest of the crew do for those who struggle, yet continue to be pillars of their communities. Not an episode goes by where I’m not impressed by the families who are often in the most dire and/or challenging situations but haven’t given up hope. They also haven’t forgotten that no matter how little they may seemingly have, they still have much to offer their friends, neighbors and others in need. When that bus pulls up with the crew from Extreme Makeover Home Edition to change a family’s life, it completes a beautiful circle of giving to those who have given so much.
That being said, if you watch the show as well, you may have heard the crew encouraging viewers to check out A Better Community online. Well, tonight I finally took the time to see what that was all about. I’m really glad I did! They provide excellent tips to get started in volunteering. Tips such as:
Research the causes or issues important to you. Look for a group that works with issues about which you feel strongly. There is no end to the creative avenues for volunteering, just as there is no end to the need for volunteers. (Advice I’ve given in the past many times!)
Consider the skills you have to offer. If you enjoy outdoor work, have a knack for teaching, or just enjoy interacting with people, you may want to look for volunteer work that would incorporate these aspects of your personality. This sort of position allows you to jump right into the work without having to take training to prepare for the assignment.
Would you like to learn something new? Perhaps you would like to learn a new skill or gain exposure to a new situation. Many nonprofits seek out people who are willing to learn. Realize beforehand, however, that such work might require a time commitment for training before the actual volunteer assignment begins.
For the complete list, check out their website. And don’t forget to tune in Sunday nights to watch this awesome crew as they do what they love in a way that changes the lives of countless families and communities.
Drop a little love where it’s needed
If someone ever told me they were hesitant to donate to charity because they weren’t sure where their money was really going, I’d tell them there are many facets to giving back to their community. I would encourage them to first try volunteering with a non-profit organization with a mission they were passionate about it…and I wouldn’t be surprised if that hands-on experience grew it something more for them. For me, once I get involved somewhere, I want to do everything I can to help out, whether that involves volunteering, serving in a leadership role, increasing awareness or even donating money.
For people out there though that don’t have the time, but still are interested in donating, Love Drop may be what they’re looking for. The idea behind this new organization is quite remarkable:
“Love Drop is a micro-giving network of people who unite as a community to help one person or family a month. By subscribing to the team for as low as $1, they make it easy for their members to change lives in a fun and tangible way. Each month Love Drop delivers a unique combination of unexpected financial gifts, personal encouragement and the support of local and online communities.”
Better yet, all the moments along the way are recorded. You get a chance to virtually meet the individual or family that you’re helping. You get to hear their story and learn about their struggles, their pain, their needs… Then you work together for one month to help them. At the end of that month, the founders of this beautiful organization deliver the collective efforts in person – the physical Love Drop. That moment too is recorded and shared with the members of the Love Drop community. You get to see exactly who you are helping and how. Pretty wow, right?
Love Drop has officially launched this month. So watch this video and meet Jill, Love Drop’s first recipient. She’s a single mother who has lost her daughter, her job, and also her home to a fire. Then check out the website and consider becoming a member of the community by donating as little as $1 per month. Or donate a gift or service to Jill and her family. You may even considering doing like I am and join the blogging network to help spread the word about Love Drop and their mission. Any which way, here’s a chance to open your heart and join others like you who care. It’s your chance to help Jill and her family. And right now, she needs all the love we can share with her and her family.
A beautiful season of giving
After helping raise money for the children of Boystown, I thought Christmas was a bit more special this year. Little did I know my boyfriend and I both had wonderful presents for each other that would make the holidays even better!
As I hinted at earlier, I was certain I had the perfect gift for my guy. I sponsored a pet in his honor through the Homeless Animal Rescue Team for one year. Sponsorship helps cover the medical and living expenses for shelter animals. I picked this particular organization because it was one that he has enjoyed volunteering with in the past. He’s even written a guest post about HART for me.
Well, as they say, great minds think alike. Turns out he had a similar gift for me. He bought a flock of geese for a poor family the Ukraine in my honor. These Geese will “provide protein from eggs, money from the sale of eggs and geese, and better crops in the field, as they remove weeds and bugs and add fertilizer.”
As adults who already have all comforts of life, it makes more sense to give to those in need instead. The fact that we both decided to do this for each other makes it that much sweeter. It shows just how in sync our really love is. And for us, that’s the only gift we need.
When Christmas comes to town
Leading up to Christmas, I hadn’t signed up for any volunteering as I was planning on working through the holidays. However, two chance opportunities presented (bad pun intended!) themselves to me: one with the USO and another with the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia.
First, the USO needed someone to help Northrop Grumman promote the Military Bowl at a Washington Wizards game at the Verizon Center Dec. 22. All I had to do was pass out information, answer questions and get others to sign up for a free chance to win tickets to game Dec. 29. Of course, this year’s Bowl game featured University of Maryland and East Carolina and benefited my favorite non-profit: the USO. The game itself turned out to be one of Maryland’s best – winning over East Carolina 51-20!
On the morning of Christmas Eve, I had a busy few hours wrapping last minute books for gifts at Borders in Bailey’s Crossroads. While the wrapping was free, we accepted donations for the Literacy Council. Despite a rough start (was told to be there an hour earlier than the store opened), it was a lot of fun. I was so happy I wasn’t one of those frazzled last minute shoppers – but it was nice to be able to help them out so they could enjoy their Christmas with their families.
These small opportunities were a great way to kick off the holiday for me! And a great holiday it was…more details in the next post!
Good news for Boystown holiday donations
It brings me great pleasure to share that after posting the heartbreaking story about Boystown earlier this week, I was able to raise $375 for holiday gifts!!! A big special thank you goes out to those wonderful folks who donated and are helping me (and the Audrey Bouviers) ensure the holidays are special for these children.
With the money collected, I went on a big shopping spree to stores like TJ Maxx and stretched that money as much as I could for as many gifts as possible. With the remaining funds, I was able to provide a check to Boystown to purchase additional gifts they may need.
It is a really beautiful thing that even in these economic times, and at the last minute, people can come together to ensure the season of giving remains just that. My sincerest thank you again and Happy Holidays to all!!!