"She'll be along, don't worry," the nurse replied. "It would take a blizzard or a flat tire to keep Jane home."
"I hope you're right," the elderly woman muttered in a tone that betrayed her self-pity, "she's the only bright spot in my life now."
Few people realize how important companionship is for those who are shut in, recovering from an illness or accident, alone, or confined to an institution. By the same token we have no idea how helpful an extra pair of hands and legs can be in a charitable or health institution that operates on a greatly reduced budget. Volunteering can open a whole new world, one with which most people are totally unfamiliar and indifferent to. However, your life will be broadened and enhanced if you give some time to an individual or organization that can use your assistance in some way.
This need to help others less fortunate than ourselves has never been greater, and this is true of the rewards one may experience in performing volunteer work as well. This is one area where youth can be a great advantage because people in trouble or need usually welcome the vigor, optimism, and enthusiasm of young people. Comparatively few elementary or high school students are interested in this activity, which makes those who are stand out as unusual and concerned citizens.
These are jobs for which no pay is offered. This eliminates many of those who must or want to earn money, unless they can manage to set aside an hour or two a week for volunteer purposes. It appeals mostly to those who do not need to earn cash after school or during weekends. Nevertheless, such experience can prove as valuable as a paying job when you set out on your career. Not only can you learn certain skills as well as ability to relate to people with problems, but you will build a record for your resume that shows you have worked as a volunteer, thus marking you as a concerned citizen. College admissions directors will be impressed, too. In today's very selfish society that places so much emphasis on money, those who unselfishly devote spare time and effort to others less fortunate than themselves stand out in a crowd.
There is no doubt you will find great personal satisfaction in this work. You may meet exceptional people who are excellent role models not driven by greed but rather by a deep personal conviction that "I am my brother's keeper."
VOLUNTEERS FOR SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS
Most medium-size towns have senior citizen centers where men and women play card and other games, participate in organized activities, and spend much of their time. Some centers also serve a noontime dinner and may prepare the Meals-on-Wheels that other volunteers distribute to shut-ins. It is possible that the center near you could use an additional volunteer after school and on Saturdays to organize and lead games or other activities or assist the director and custodian in other ways. Talk with the director, and if he or she does need your help now, ask if there are other ways that you might serve seniors.
NEIGHBORS IN NEED
Often the greatest needs are hidden and unknown but exist close to us. Thus there may be a neighbor who would welcome your coming by and helping with the household chores, shopping, or even taking him or her for an occasional walk or ride. Your parents and friends may know of someone who would be grateful to have your help.
VOLUNTEER DRIVER
If you have a driver's license, if your parents would let you borrow the car for this activity, and if you are a very careful driver, there is always need for volunteers to drive young and old, the sick and the handicapped to the doctor's office and the nearest hospital. Should this idea appeal to you, tell your doctor of your availability after school and weekends. He is the best person to know of such needs. You might also tell the director of the local home health association as well as the visiting nurses association.
RAISING MONEY FOR A GOOD CAUSE
You will remember meeting Elizabeth Brinton in Chapter 5 who sold Girl Scout cookies to help raise funds for the organization. Charitable fund-raising events such as gala dances, horse shows, rodeos, celebrity appearances, dinners, house-and-garden tours, art shows, and other special events are common. If helping with the one of these interests you, contact the chairperson in charge to see if he or she could use your assistance. You well might find yourself plunged into a new and exciting experience where you gain more than you give!
Like Elizabeth, you too might sell some product to raise funds for your church, school, or other worthy organization. If you are sales-minded this could give you good experience (see Chapter 5) and enable you to learn while aiding a good cause. The best way to go about this would be to present your idea to the director or head of the group you would like to help support and see what that individual has to suggest. Some charitable establishments have a number of items they offer for sale to the public to help augment their income, and you might be able to offer this merchandise to prospects in town.
SUGGESTED VOLUNTEER JOBS
Candy Striper
Many hospitals have candy striper programs for teenagers. Your duties would be strictly of a nonmedical nature and would not expose you to patients with contagious diseases. Each hospital has its own program, but as a candy striper you might expect to help at the visitor's desk, run errands, escort visitors around the hospital, help with the book cart, answer the telephone, deliver mail, perhaps feed a patient, or assist with loading trays at mealtime. Whatever you do, like other volunteers you will learn a lot about how hospitals work, see the staff in action, and perhaps discover whether a career in health services would be the right one for you.
If this interests you, visit the nearest hospital and ask at the reception desk if there is a candy striper or other volunteer program you might join. Even though there may be no formal program for people your age, most hospitals have a director of volunteers; there could be a place for you in some part of the institution.
Volunteer to Work in a Social Service Agency
Organizations concerned with helping people who have family problems or need assistance of one kind or another are known as social service agencies. Most of them operate on tight budgets and must save every cent they can. That is why most can use volunteers like you to do simple office jobs, run errands, and help in other ways. In Brian Mason's case, he went every afternoon after school, collected the outgoing mail from all the offices, sealed and stamped the envelopes, and took them to the post office. Saturday mornings he answered the phone and filed correspondence so that none of the paid employees had to come in.
Volunteer at Your Church or Synagogue
Your pastor or rabbi can doubtless use you around the church or synagogue in numerous ways. Perhaps you can help in the office with clerical work, assist the custodian, tidy up the grounds and parking lot, cut grass in summer, shovel snow during winter months, or arrange furniture for meetings.
Volunteer at the Library
Most libraries also operate on skimpy budgets and welcome all the free assistance they can find. You might become a volunteer and help by returning books to the shelves, dusting, receiving and charging out books at the desk, or be in charge when the librarian is not there.
Reading to Shut-ins or the Blind
Are you a good reader and do you have a strong voice? If so, and if you enjoy reading aloud, there are many people who would like to have a young person read to them. You doing this would not only provide the enjoyment of being read to, but would also provide companionship and conversation to help brighten their day.
Running Errands for Shut-ins
Probably one of the most useful jobs you could do is to run errands for those who cannot get out shopping.
Actually many of the jobs already described in this book could be done on a volunteer basis. As we previously said, almost every community has people who need special assistance of one kind or another. For example, consider the following:
- Families where both parents work and families with only one parent could use the services of a babysitter from time to time.
- Elderly people who cannot afford to hire someone nevertheless need help doing odd jobs about the house: cutting the grass, raking leaves, washing windows, shopping, cleaning house, doing laundry, or cooking.
- Pet owners who are housebound would be most grateful if you could walk their dogs and perhaps occasionally brush or bathe them.
- A farmer or a farm family that grows fruits or vegetables could always use an extra pair of hands.
In many communities there is a volunteer services office, a clearing-house for all kinds of volunteer jobs. Ask your librarian, pastor, or rabbi if there is one in your area.
IMPORTANCE OF BEING DEPENDABLE
Because you are volunteering your services without pay does not mean that you can take a relaxed or offhand attitude toward your job. Regardless of what you have agreed to do, you should carry out your end of the agreement. Whether you are working in an office, running errands for a shut-in, or serving in a hospital, you will be expected to appear at a certain agreed-upon time, and it is your responsibility to be there then. Be sure to let people know if you cannot be on time or if you cannot come that day. They will be depending upon you, and it is unfair to disappoint them. Someday you may want to ask your "employer" for a reference when you apply for a paying job. Your dependability will enable her or him to give you a good recommendation.
