It is very rewarding to be a volunteer, I recently joined members of my community to pick up litter. When people visit my community, I don't want them to see litter on the side of the road. It's so easy to get some garbage bags and get out there and pick it up. While it may not be the most glamorous job, it definitely made an impact on my community. It's also a job people of any age can do. One thing I can say about this type of volunteering is that people will stop and ask if they can help! So, I say yes and give them a trash bag. When visitors come to your community and see that it is litter free, they want to come back.
I hold many hats when it comes to volunteering. I read to kids in school that are having trouble learning how to read. I am a volunteer for Special Olympics. I am the parent that volunteers for school functions. You might find me selling snacks at the concession stand during a football game. You might find me backstage during a school play making sure things stay organized. I volunteer at my local Boys and Girls club by helping the kids with homework or helping them to create a fun art project. I volunteer in the school library.
My favorite volunteer activity is reading to children. I have always had a love for books and I want others to enjoy reading, too. I read to individual children, as well as a group of children. Knowing you have helped a child learn how to read is very rewarding. I read to one little boy that did not speak English, I read to him every week. At the end of the school year, he was so excited to READ TO ME! I cried happy tears.
Later this year, an organization very near and dear to my heart, Special Olympics, will take place in my region. My son is a special needs child and participates in Special Olympics. I have volunteered for Special Olympics for 12 years. With hundreds of kids from surrounding communities come together for Special Olympics, many volunteers are needed. From the opening ceremonies to the last medal is handed out, it is very rewarding to watch all the kids as they participate in a day of fun!
There are many ways you can volunteer in your community. The small changes you make close to home have a huge impact on making the world a better place. Have you heard of Rewards Volunteers? Rewards Volunteers is a website that you can log your volunteer hours and win prizes, find volunteer opportunities in your community, and engage with other volunteers. Organizations also benefit when they register to be a Rewards Volunteers organization and their volunteers log their hours.
Volunteering is fun and rewarding and it is something anybody can do. It is up to you as to how much time you spend. It makes your community and our world a better place.
