Making The Difference

“Volunteer- The first to lend a helping hand, the last to turn away.” –Anonymous

Every once in awhile, someone will ask me a question such as, “Why do you volunteer?” or “Why do you have to be such a good person?” I’m still figuring out how to answer them. “Just because” isn’t a good enough explanation for me. There has to be more of a reason. I’m trying to figure out exactly what it is I like about volunteering and ‘being a good person’, so the next time someone asks me, I’ll have a convincing answer.

Forms of volunteer work: Almost anything you do to help out! Tutoring, picking up trash, offering to watch children for free as a favor, helping out at yard sales, bake sales, and car washes, supporting church-related events such as dinners and funerals, aiding a school in fundraisers or other money-raising projects, assisting nursing homes, hospitals, animal shelters, homeless shelters, shelters for the abused, and child-care programs. There are so many neat and wonderful ways to help other people. A lot of times, people volunteer without even knowing it.

Feel good about yourself. Who doesn’t want to feel good about themselves? I certainly do! And volunteering is a great way to do just that. Not only do you help others, but you also help yourself by boosting your self-confidence and pride. When you help someone, whether it is by tutoring, counseling, or baking a few dozen cookies, you are showing them that they mean something to you. And when the person you are helping realizes this, chances are they’ll return the favor, too.

Gain the respect of others. When you are, say, picking up trash alongside of the road, and someone drives by, they’ll probably wonder what you are getting paid to clean up. Or if you’re waiting on someone at a church dinner, or even if you’re handing out fundraiser packets door-to-door style. However, upon learning that you aren’t getting paid, and that you’re doing it because you ‘want’ to, though they may call you crazy, know that most people will admire you for doing what no one else wants to do.

All mixed up! A lot of times people associate the word ‘volunteer’ with ‘community service’, and then somehow link that word to ‘troubled teens’. To some extent, I see how that mistake can be made. I mean, that’s the leading punishment first-time offenders face, mostly for speeding, driving while intoxicated, being involved in fights, or shoplifting. Instead of having to pay a fine or appear in court, they’re off the hook with a promise to put in a few community hours. Thus, the new definition of ‘community service’ is born. So when people see a teenager helping out, they automatically think, Gee, I wonder what so-and-so did this time?. Even kids are biased in that same way. I volunteer at a tutoring program, and after my third week, several of the kids asked me how many ‘community hours’ I had left. They were shocked when they found out that I hadn’t committed a crime; I was simply doing it because I ‘wanted’ to. I think that realizing they thought this was more shocking to me than what they discovered. However, I know that by telling them this, I am discreetly setting an example I hope they follow.

Make THE difference! Most people talk about making a difference. To me, I consider it making the difference. ‘The’ is a much stronger word. Meaning instead of staying home and watching TV or playing on the computer, getting out and helping someone! It may not feel the same to everyone, but when I make someone smile for whatever reason, that is worth ten dollars I could have earned sitting in an office stapling papers!

Do it for the right reasons! Please, if I want you to take away one thing from this article, it would be not to volunteer only because it makes you look good or prove to be an advantage in certain areas! Do it because it makes you feel good! Do it because you want to, not because you are forced to. Remember that volunteering is offering to do something without expecting anything in return. If you are expecting something, then you are not volunteering!

Show me you care! If even one person that reads this goes out of their way and uses their time to help others, I’ll know I’ve done my job, and that I’ve made a difference. If not, I guess I’ll just have to work a little harder! Please, pass on the kindness others show you!