We all have busy lives, whether working, going to school, coordinating family, as students, youth, or seniors we navigate our routines as the days melt together, layer upon layer.
Every once in a while when I stop to take a breath, get up for a stretch from my desk or step outside the door of my office or home, I think about whether I am actually making a difference. Is there a way I can be doing more to help my communities in our region?
Being a journalist, we often have the opportunity to cover truly incredible acts of kindness, fundraising events that make a big difference in rural towns or in cities throughout the province, across this amazing country we love and so many individual inspiring gestures from those always willing to go above and beyond.
I’m sure it’s not a far stretch to think of someone you know that is the supreme volunteer in your own community. A person that seems to be everywhere, all at once, always wearing their best smile, sleeves rolled up, taking on whatever task needs to be done to make sure that special event comes off without a hitch.
We often comment in our communities about our astonishment regarding those individuals that continually volunteer. How do they find the time? I think if you ask them, they may say, “I make the time.”
So, we sometimes just take for granted that someone else is stepping up, aren’t they always? Are those expectations and assumptions letting me off the hook?
For young people that volunteer, the experience gained can be a real boost to a resume when you haven’t held that many jobs yet or offer a chance to train in something new. Sometimes those experiences will be the catalyst to making a decision on the course your future takes whether that be in choosing a major in university, pursuing a career change or exploring something new that you’ve found you might be good at or intrigued to find out more about.
As seniors, at times with more time on our hands after leading very busy working lives, raising families and beginning to consider how our skills gained might be put to good use, retirement or semi-retirement might be a perfect time to mentor, offer our experience in support of a worthwhile organization or even donate a few hours a week to offer comfort and care to those in need.
Each year we celebrate National Volunteer Week across the country, a good time to think about the vital role our local volunteers play in keeping the services, events and charities operating year-round. Kind of a tap on the shoulder perhaps, to remind us there is always a way we can contribute.
Even volunteer fire departments need people to help with paperwork, not always pulling hoses, a hospice society sure appreciates some fresh baking for the families sitting with their loved ones in those final hours, or the relief of a person giving them an hour or two to take a walk, a nap or shower. Prepping veggies or bussing dishes at the weekly legion dinner or seniors’ luncheon, sorting some groceries into hampers and boxes at the food bank, or possibly sorting donations for the thrift store that helps fund new hospital equipment. How about that community garden needing a bit of weeding or fostering an animal until an adoptive family opens their hearts.
There are so many ways to volunteer, not just by being on a board, although don’t discount your worth when you see a notice for an AGM or election for new officers for the Community Forest, Communities Foundation, district committee or countless other positions where you might be just the right fit! Don’t let your age, in any direction detour you. You really have nothing to lose and so many rewarding, enlightening experiences to gain and memories to make by just raising your hand, stepping up and showing you care.
It's really as simple as asking, “What can I do to make a difference?”
