Friday, September 11, 2009

volunteer

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I'm sure everyone knows that today is the 8th anniversary of that tragic day known as 9-11 (2001). I encourage you to take a moment to reflect and honor those who lost their lives that fateful day.

One of the ways citizens have chosen to honor that day and it's victims is to find a way to volunteer in some way. I think the hope is that a great number of people will volunteer on September 11th, but I think if you choose to volunteer, any day is a good day to volunteer.

My Aloha Friday question today is...

Do you volunteer anywhere? If so, where?, or what do you do?

I presently volunteer at my church. In fact, my youth ministry position was all volunteer. Since retiring from youth ministry, Don and I have taken on smaller volunteer opportunities such as teaching a Bible study or taking on a specific responsibility for our upcoming harvest festival.

When the kids were younger, I spent a lot of time volunteering in their schools; working in the school store or in the library, or in such ways as bringing in cupcakes for a party or helping sort first day packets.

One of the reasons I ask this question is because I'm looking for a place outside my church where I might enjoy volunteering this next year. Maybe you good people will give me some good ideas and inspire me to volunteer in a way I haven't thought of before. So inspire away.

Thank you Kailani for hosting Aloha Friday each week.

22 comments:

Design It Chic said...

Not currently... but i guess volunteering for your family also counts:)
Aloha!

*for more ramblings visit my Aloha Friday

Drahdrah said...

Nope, don't volunteer at the moment.

MadeInCanarias said...

I did in Estonia, I was playing with children in hospital.

East Coast Wahine said...

When my girls were younger I volunteered on their figure skating club for many years!!

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

I am going to volunteer at both of my kids school this year again.

Jennifer said...

No currently. I used to volunteer often at school and church.

AudreyO said...

I don't really volunteer right now. I work in a non profit. I got the job when I used to volunteer all of the time. I was there more than the employees LOL. Now I'm an employee.

Anonymous said...

I volunteer 8 hours a week at my daughter's school.

Karen said...

Oh my. Did I volunteer. When my first son started Kindergarten I began at their school in PTA. Started out chairing Christmas Craft Workshop and was doomed from there. LOL. I absolutely loved it! We did so much for the schools and all the kids.
I ended up in each Board position, working my way up to finally serving 2 years as PTA President.
Then I had to reprioritize as I knew I wouldn't have my Mom that much longer.
I spent one year volunteering/working at 2 different rehab hospitals with my husband's cousin after her bad car accident. I learned a lot about Traumatic Brain Injury's, and each time I look at Jennifer, I know I did something to help her to get where she is today.
Wow - I got to rambling there huh?! LOL
Currently - between working and family - my days are filled up - and not volunteering at all right now.
Hmmmm . . . might have to change that soon.
In California, every one is so desperate for volunteers, you could pretty much walk in any door anywhere and they'd take you.
If I could, right now I'd be out there helping the firefighters. But now they are just too far away. Never known a fireman to refuse some homemade goodies and bottles of water.
Have a great weekend!

Pamela M. Kramer - A Renaissance Woman said...

Church and school - I'm a room mommy.

Anonymous said...

I'm volunteering with a local hospice program. And I really want to get involved with a microcredit organization - but it may have to wait until I finish my degree. The more I think about it, the more I realize we really are all connected and we rely on each other.

Annie said...

I teach Sunday School for children at our church, lead a women's bible study and I am a (soon to be) La Leche League Leader (breastfeeding support group). I have always LOVED volunteering....I can't think of a single time in my life I haven't been a volunteer in at least one thing :)

Beth @ TheAngelForever said...

I was the room parent last year for my son's kindergarten class. I just signed up to do it this year, if nobody else does. Help out with the PTA at school and do things at Hebrew School as well.

The Social Frog said...

Yes, I do. My husband is in the military and so I decided I would at the USO and I love it :)

MightyMom said...

not at the moment...but catch me in 10 years as I have A LOT of volunteering plans to put in motion once my kids area little more independent. :-)

Becca said...

I don't currently volunteer anywhere, but would love to volunteer for a local animal shelter. They have intensive training though so I have been putting it off.

Susan said...

Everything I've ever done within the Church has been on a volunteer basis. Right now we are giving a helping hand to a young couple facing a crisis and housing him & furnishing wheels to drive and counseling them. Today I volunteered in Cry Out America at our County Courthouse. Our lives should be a spreading of HIS love which HE has so graciously showered us with. In the past we've volunteered in a Food Ministry and spent time serving Thanksgiving Dinner & doing services at the Salvation Army.
Susan
Susan

Lynne said...

Occasionally at my job I help out with fundraisers and also first aid. I'm currently looking for something to do in my community.

Brandi said...

I don't volunteer right now, but have volunteered at a pregnancy help center, and another Christian based outdoor ministry when I was in college. I have tried to volunteer at the pregnancy center in my new town, but haven't found a good nich with the director.

Maxine said...

I volunteer at various church ministries, but not too much in the community. My daughter did volunteer work in a head start program and also at a local hospital. My younger daughter hopes to volunteer at the hospital. Working for charitable organizations is a wonderful way to volunteer. I do take up collection in my neighborhood for Leukemia each year. But as someone said, giving of our precious time for our families is great volunteer work!

barb/mom said...

Like others, I have done loads of volunteering at church.

I always thought it would be very rewarding & fulfilling to volunteer to rock babies at a hospital that has a program for that.

MightyMom said...

could have sworn I left the comment here with a link about that statue...did you get it??