Volunteering

[Guest guest]

Several folks have said they would love to volunteer but they don't think they

can. I think there's lots we all could do if we just expand our perceptions of

what " volunteering " involves and what one person can achieve.

For example, if you're in the U.S., there's a huge need for pen pals for U.S.

military service people serving overseas. I looked into this at one time. They

just love to receive mail from home. A chatty letter every week or two, maybe a

home-made card, clippings from a home-town newspaper, even an occassional " care

package " of little things like cookies or lip balm or gum can really brighten up

their days.

Anyone could do this - you do it from home, and the only real expense you have

to invest is a few stamps. Do a search for " military pen pals " online and check

it out - there are several groups that organize this. Note that this is NOT a

dating service - you are simply volunteering to help cheer up a serviceperson

with a letter from home.

Another option - if you're of a political mind and want to do something to help

others in pain, go to the American Pain Foundation website -

www.painfoundation.org - and look at their " Action Network " and see what options

are available to help get the word out about chronic pain and pain management.

They need people to write letters/emails to their congresspersons to support

legislation that is relevant to pain patients. It takes no effort at all - they

write the letter for you, and give you the info you need to send it, all you

have to do is sign your name and send it! But you can make a difference.

Another option - if you like to crochet or knit, make blankets for children in

hospitals. Make mittens for children in homeless shelters or battered women's

shelters. Often churches organize these kinds of donations, so if you don't

know where to donate them, call a couple of local churches until you find one

that does this.

The American Cancer Society is always looking for people willing to raise money

by addressing a few envelopes to their neighbors - they provide all the

materials, you just write a personal note and mail them. I have one neighbor

who raises about $500 a year doing this every year! (And yes, she hits me up

for a donation every year! :-)

As I said in an earlier post, I volunteer once a week at our local NPR radio

station recording newscasts from our local newspapers for area residents who are

vision impaired. It does require that I go to their studio, but I can arrange

that time to fit my schedule, and they don't mind if I reschedule if I'm having

a bad day. As little as half an hour at a time helps. And I've gotten to know

some great people among the other volunteers working there!

You may not be able to go raise a house for Habitat for Humanity, or serve meals

in a soup kitchen line, but there is plenty you can do right from the comfort of

your own bed or recliner, or with a minimum of time and effort, that will make a

big difference in someone else's life. And that's the best medicine for

forgetting about our own pain for a little while.

Get creative!

Cheryl in AZ

Moderator