Why do you volunteer? / LJWorld.com

Asked at meeting with local volunteers who raise service dogs on November 20, 2011

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“It’s a way to give back to the community.”

— Nancy Giossi, Kansas University Employee, Lawrence

“It helps other people.”

— Madison Johnson, home-schooled student, Lawrence

“Knowing I had something to do with making someone’s life a little easier.”

— Mandi Holsten, works in veterinary medicine field, Lawrence

“It improves the quality of life for someone else.”

— Susan Johnson, stay-at-home mother, Lawrence

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My family had us kids volunteer. We helped elderly neighbors, worked at the hospital, worked after storms, baby sit for single parents, cleaned homes, yards, camping sites, sides of roads, rivers. prepared and delivered food, tutored kids in reading, fixed and repaired objects for the Salvation Army stores. Yes, it was because we were blessed, but also because they wanted us to know more, to know everything that was going on, there were things going on. It was suppose to teach us, and it did. We did things together and we were supervised a lot. We were expected to do a good job, to figure out solutions, and to be courteous.

It gave me information. Many of the people I helped were also helping others, each hand had different gifts. It also helped me spot the cons and the vultures, hard lessons, like don't feed a hungry dog with hamburger from your hand. It prepared us by letting us know how to choose work from the heart. When you start doing something, someone will try to redirect your task. I remember stern lectures that said, yes the person, said" that we should do something else, or do it another way, but we were responsible. Not to let the arm chair yahoos discourage or distract you. Just tell them they should do that, and let it go. People who didn't make mistakes didn't get much done. I can't tell you all the things I learned, list the skills and understanding of organizations, but I am glad we did it. The one I ended up doing best was as a reading tutor. I was good at that, my sister was awful. She yelled at the kid she had. She was better at making absolutely beautiful food baskets for old ladies. She was smart, thought about rather the person could chew or not. Each hand has gifts, kids need to learn what gifts are in their hands, and it is never late to learn.

RoeDapple 5 years, 8 months ago

For the hugs . . .

Bill Lee 5 years, 8 months ago

They can't afford to pay me.

ST3V3N 5 years, 8 months ago

When you help others, you help yourself. We are all part of this thing called humanity.

Deja Coffin 5 years, 8 months ago

I try to teach my kids to have a servants heart and to be compassionate giving people. I try to be an example for them but really it's so I can grow as a person. I think when you volunteer you become aware of a cause or situation and it helps you to be more understanding. Good or bad there is a lot more to this world then what is in my own little bubble and volunteering helps me remember that.