Just a little bit of your time

Volunteering is just a natural thing to do for me. I have always been the type to help out anyway I can. My parents never made a big deal about volunteering, it's just something they do too. But when I mention to people like co-workers or casual acquaintances that I am volunteering this weekend, or whatever, they always are surprised. They usually say something like- 'so your one of those people that volunteer a lot huh?' or 'I'd like to volunteer but I just don't have time'. I never know what to say, it's really something I do for me and it's fun. I get so much back from it, it's really more about the volunteers than what your giving or doing.

I got interested in triathlons, once upon a time, but I didn't know anything about them. I volunteered at the Alaska Women's Gold Nugget Triathlon so that I could SEE what it was all about. I counted laps for the swimmers in the high school pool where it was held, I learned a lot about what to expect, the transition area, how it all worked. I was hooked on triathlons... and volunteering! The athletes were so appreciative of the volunteers and I realized that the volunteers really make it all happen. There are so many events that can not take place without volunteers. I really believe that volunteers make the world go around.

A common misconception about volunteering is that it takes up so much time. There are many, many opportunities that may only take a few hours, one time, there is no long term commitment! You don't need any special skills just a willingness to help out, sometimes it can be in big ways, sometimes really small things are a big help! My greatest pleasure is spending the day with people that appreciate the smallest effort that I am willing to give, and getting to know them for the day. I believe that you meet people for a reason, which is rarely obvious. But I figure I spend the day or a few hours with them, and then we part- I may think of something they said to me and it might help me make a decision or handle a situation better. Or if not, then maybe they got something from me in that time together. As a by product we help out an organization or event in a little way.

My volunteering resume:

-Alaska Zoo: naturalist tours, feeding baby caribou and moose, volunteer appreciation party.

-Anchorage Museum: organizing the spring doggie fashion show.

-Anchorage Parks & Rec: adopt a park- cleaning and picking up trash.

-Anchorage Animal Shelter: walking dogs, cleaning kennels, helping with adoption matches.

-Habitat for Humanity: fundraising/organizing silent auction.

-Decatur Garden Tour: checking in people, selling tickets.

-Atlanta Dogwood Festival: selling Tee Shirts.

-Piedmont Park/DMB Concert: helping to put fresh mulch down at the dog park.

-Merch Girl at small shows: selling tee shirts, CD's for the artist(s).

-Public Radio Station WABE: answering phones during fundraising (up coming).

-Numerous Sporting Events such as running races, triathlons and marathons.

I haven't done a whole lot to me, but most people are amazed at how much volunteer work I do. I think it is very little. I don't over commit, I only do what I can, when I can. A perk of being a volunteer is that you only do what you want, when you want! It's all about YOUR interests! I hope I inspire others to give their time and smiles to organizations and events. It only takes a couple hours just once, and you'll be hooked too!