National Volunteer Appreciation Week: Are You a Volunteer?

I'm one of those crazy people who actually raised my hand in uniform when leadership was looking for a volunteer. Because of it, I had the opportunity to do a lot of things I wouldn't have normally had the chance to do. Unfortunately, I have a bad habit of taking on too much and burning the candle at both ends. I have a hard time saying no when someone asks for my help, and sometimes get overwhelmed by everything I have going on.

Now that I'm retired (although my husband would really like me to find a job) I've enjoyed the opportunity to do some extra volunteering. Currently, as I stated in another post, I am the Volunteer Coordinator for a non-profit organization called Warriors on the Water. We put on an annual bass fishing tournament for 150 service members. All expenses are paid for through donations and sponsors. I joined the group 5 years ago as a Public Affairs Officer, but was invited to join the committee and became the Volunteer Coordinator. The organization was started as a way to say Thank You to currently serving military and this year we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary. I love the committee I work with, I enjoy giving a little something special to our military and am proud to be a part of this group. The funny part is, I don't fish. Although I did finally win a fishing pole at an event recently, so I might have to learn. :-)

Next, I am member of my communities Property Owners Association Advisory Council. I was asked to join the council shortly after moving to our current location because of my Public Affairs skills. I wrote the newsletter at first, and then we decided to go with a professional publisher. Now I chair the Adult Activities Committee which puts on quarterly events for the adults within our community. We have put on social events with themes and are currently planning a Murder Mystery Dinner in August. I do this work because it helps with my community.

Recently, I was asked to join the Women's Club in my community which does a great number of volunteer activities including highway cleanup, collecting food for a local food bank, helping in-need families of domestic violence and more. The group puts on an annual Art and crafts show and I've been asked to take over as chair for this annual event. I told them I probably won 'Best in Show' for my photography at the last show, as a way to encourage me to take on this role. I am looking at starting another project putting together a Melodrama group within our community. Not sure if it will fly, but will give it a shot.

I recently started volunteering at the Temple Theater in Sanford, NC. This small theater puts on several excellent productions throughout the year. I have a minor in Dramatic Arts, spent several years acting on stage and enjoy working with the theater, so needless to say, this is a good fit for me. It is fun for me, even if I'm only working back stage and not acting.

Finally, I have been asked to be a part of a couple of boards. The first board is for our local Charter Elementary School. Not sure I will be taking this one on. I don't have children myself, but I guess they don't really care about that. Second, I was asked to submit a packet to be on a VA Ethics Board that reviews requests for funding for medical research.
A fascinating opportunity, but this is not confirmed yet.

OK, I think that gives me a pretty full plate. I've tried helping out with RallyPoint, but have failed in that area due to timing. So, for now, I just try to contribute the best I can and hopefully I can be helpful from time to time. If I do go back to work, I will certainly have to determine what I am able to continue doing and what will need to take a back seat.

Yes I am. I volunteer in helping veterans. I am a Hospice Volunteer in a Veterans-to-Veterans Hospice Program and I am also a member of "Bugles Across America" where I volunteer to play Taps, live, at Military Funerals. I also do volunteer work for the VFW & American Legion Post to the local schools in our area by giving lectures to the students about Veterans and the true meaning of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

currently Volunteer with DAV and American Legion preparing Soldiers for transition from military service and ensuring that they receive benefits from VA that they earned. Daunting task of ensuring medical records are correct for the VA compensation claims.

I have been a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT for 9 Years now. Working anywhere from 36-140 hours a month in a volunteer capacity. I also volunteer to teach CPR in Schools about once or twice a month. To me volunteering to serve was an Honor, Volunteering to keep my community safe is just as big of an honor as being able to put on this uniform. In the past I have also volunteered my time at Veterans Stand Down's in my area. Always looking for more places to volunteer at.

I volunteer in a number of venues working with helping children, animals, and the arts.

I love volunteer work and thrive at customer relations in support groups. Getting people excited about helping is the key. The idea in leadership is to set the example and let that eagerness thrive and keeping in mind that it is all about the ones we help. Even if we wheel a patient at the Shriners or clean a bed pan or help the nurse. Be a grunt in the sense of humility and consideration. Yes sir and Yes Ma'am to everyone. Again not for yourself but the hungry and homeless and depressed. No judgements but inspire hope. Those are the keys to a fulfillment that is elusive if all we do is think about ourselves and complain.

I am not but after visiting the VA in Montgomery today on my way home I was considering volunteering there. I'm sure there is something I can do to help our wounded warriors.

I am a volunteer. I volunteered for the Army and volunteered to accept every challenge within my capability. I volunteered to be a husband and father, a Scout leader to my children and then other people's children. I was a Volunteer in Probation (Orange County California Probation Dept) working with Youth at Risk. I was a volunteer crew member of the Brig Pilgrim at Dana Point, CA, where I learned the art of sailing tall ships according to custom and practice of the 18th and 19th Centuries (and became a living museum passing those skills on to others as well as teaching history to students who visited the ship). I volunteer for community service activities sponsored by by veterans groups. Recently, I volunteered to become a member of a FEMA-sponsored response organization that organizes and places emergent volunteers during times of disaster. I can't imagine a life without volunteering. It gives me purpose far beyond what I do to earn a living. If introduces me to new people and helps me make new friends. I recommend it highly...

Community Volunteer; Festival Fairbanks, Yukon Quest, Salvation Army Food deliveries

There is so much need out there for many things, and I feel everyone should give something. My children have learned from an early age that part of receiving is giving back. I think I've gotten so much from my military career that the sense of duty and giving back a lot of what I have done is ingrained in me. I love Boy Scouts and have been involved in that for several years with my boys and Girls Scouts with my daughter. When Coventry started a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) I found a sense of usefulness again for my skills. Not only do we train to assist in crisis events but we help run food drives, clinics at the animal shelter, HAM radio nets, you name it in community involvement events. I need volunteer time almost as much as it needs me and its a great feeling to have!