Putting Others First
The rewards come back at you.
Back at You
Volunteers give haircuts
When you volunteer, learn many things that you didn’t expect to learn, and the community benefits, too.
When I decided to volunteer for my church’s food pantry, I thought it would be a matter of just handing out food to people. I was surprised to learn all of the different aspects of running the food pantry.
It runs like a small business and I was excited to learn all the procedures, policies, and paperwork needed to make the pantry run smoothly.
CloseEver since I was very young I have believed it is important to give back. When you have been blessed with having all of your needs and most of your wants met, it doesn’t take much to give back to those who have very little or nothing.
I Remember Being NineI can remember a summer when I was eight or nine and a church friend asked me if I had been school supply shopping. I had, and she told me she had to start school without any supplies, that her mom couldn’t afford them.
After asking my mom for permission, I gave my friend my allowance and we took her shopping.
I will never forget her joy of having a pack of pencils and some paper, and how some simple things meant so much to her.
CloseWhen you give back, your social awareness will be enhanced because, as a volunteer working with others, you’ll learn to appreciate and work with people’s differences.
You will develop skills that may help you get a career, as well as develop characteristics that will benefit you in the workplace.
BenefitsYou’ll develop characteristics that will help you in the workplace, such as:
- Learning to be on time
- Being dependable
- Learning teamwork
- Handling pressure
CloseYou know the cliché, “Make the world a better place.” Well, you can! Everything you do, no matter how small, helps.
You can always give a smile!
Part of our growth and motivation as people comes from giving to the greater good—knowing we’re a part of something bigger than ourselves.
While “making the world a better place” often makes you think of great leaders, researchers developing cures, or geniuses dreaming up theories, smaller actions create happiness in the lives of those around us, too.
Paying someone a compliment, sending a kind text message or e-mail, or tipping someone extra are all little gestures that can create and strengthen our sense of community. And that’s no small matter!
Besides the benefits you get in the workplace, you get personal benefits from volunteering. You:
IndependenceVolunteering helps make you strong and self-confident. Many times when volunteering you have to act on your own. You might even be the one to take the first step to getting something done.
This will give you a sense of control over your own life. When you know what you’re capable of doing, you have the power to change your life and the lives of others.
CloseBetter HealthVolunteering can give your mind, soul, heart, and body a jump-start! You’ll find yourself happier and healthier; you’ll have a purpose and greater sense of self-satisfaction.
Volunteering has been shown to even lower your stress level, strengthen your immune system, and help you sleep better at night.
CloseYour Social CircleDo you love music? Volunteer at a music festival and you’ll make new friends with people who love music like you.
Remember, volunteers like you have chosen their jobs carefully and are appreciated for their contributions. Whatever it is, you’re doing something for the love of it, and you’ll meet like-minded people.
I have experienced this myself. When I chose to teach art to the neighborhood kids near my church, I met several kids my own age. They are now my good friends and we have the love of art in common.
Close
We spend a year preparing for the Day of Hope.
What it means to those you help
In addition to all the benefits I’ve gained from volunteering, by giving tangible things to those in need I’ve learned to appreciate what I have.
For many years as a child, I donated items to others who had very little. As I got older—the old age of 10—I decided to donate some of my time to the kids in our church.
Christmas PresentsEvery Christmas I’d ask my mom to help me go through my childhood toys and clothes that don’t fit. We’d pack up boxes to give to some of the kids from my church.
CloseOur church is a community church, meaning we purposely are located in what some people would call a “bad” area of town, so we can be there for the less fortunate.
Being ThereThere are a lot of kids my age in this area that have nothing. I decided that since I have art skills, I would teach an art class for the kids in this neighborhood once a week.
Seeing their excitement and getting so many hugs means more to me than money or material objects.
Some of my students have gone on to take art in school and my family has helped them get their art supplies. If I have anything to do with someone deciding to become something that they thought they couldn’t…wow!
I still teach this class today.
CloseI joined Outreach, a ministry in our church that provides a food pantry for the area homeless. We distribute food, clothes, and money.
Our pantry runs every day, except Sunday, and we serve approximately 100 people a day. That’s a lot of hungry people!
Helping the Homeless
Lineup for the free clinics at Day of HopeIt is hard to see how the people we serve live, but I have never met a group of people more appreciative and thankful. I saw a person cry just because I handed her a loaf of bread.
Sometimes, it is just a conversation with someone that cares. It doesn’t take much to give that kind of attention and it may be just that tiny gesture that gets them to hope.
Many times we are the reason that some of these people get back on their feet. I know this because they often come back and volunteer with us so they can give back.
That is part of what makes it all worthwhile, to know that I played a part in helping someone come back from such a horrible place in their lives.
CloseOnce a year Outreach puts on the “Day of Hope.” We spend months preparing for this event.
Countywide, we provide food, haircuts, showers, clothes, blankets, toiletries, backpacks, and many other necessities to the homeless and jobless. It is an all-day event and we serve more than 1,000 people.
One other thing that I think is very important that comes from volunteering is networking...
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