Volunteer work
 

I'd like to spend my time doing something worthwhile for a change - other than being a good dog Mom. I'm going to do some volunteer work. I'm not sure just how many hours per week yet but I've decided to do this for some feel-good vibes. Can't get too many of those. Good karma = good life.

I have no idea where I'd like to devote my time though. I could do something with AIDS patients, the homeless, cancer patients, Salvation Army, Red Cross, orphanages, animals, special needs kids, special needs adults, etc. My possibilities are virtually endless, especially here in Atlanta. What volunteer work have you done, if any? Or if you had the time, where would you like to spend some hours helping others?

If I remember correctly you mentioned you have a cosmetology license? The American Cancer Society's Look Good Feel Better would probably be very appreciative of your help!

ooooooooooooooooomg that's such a great idea. I'll definitely consider that one!

I volunteered for 5 months (October 2005-March 2006) as a computer tech for a nursing home where I am now currently employed for the last 3.5 years.

I've volunteered for Special Olympics before. The only problem is, if you don't really know how to deal with kids like that or haven't had any experience with them it can get difficult.

Well, to be honest, your decision is quite inspiring. I feel people these days will spend 20 hours a week watching TV or playing World of Warcraft, but won't give those 2 or 3 weekly hours of volunteering.

Of course, all forms of volunteering are excellent, but I reckon the most important area in which one can help these days would be education.

I do tons of volunteer work getting free genealogy records and doing research for people that need help or dont have access to things they need :)

I volunteer at a local no-kill animal shelter. In the past I have volunteered for an Eating Disorders information group. I enjoy my volunteer work and there are so many different organizations to become involved in. There's SO much to choose from : Share Our Strength, Les Enfants Ball, Wings of Mercy for St. Joseph's Hospital, The Red Cross always has something going on - I would suggest checking out whatever sounds interesting to you and go from there. You never know until you give it a try!

One of the easiest things to do to help people is give money (if you have it to give)... one of the hardest is to give your time! Most volunteer organisations that I've ever dealt with needed both money/material & people. When they put out a call for extra donations, they got it. When they needed people, everyone was busy. So kudos big-time for thinking that way. When I did financial counseling, I always told people with no spare money they could still make tremendous contributions by volunteering their time.

As for WHAT you should do... try a number. Most organisations are more than happy to give you a walk through and a trial period to see if you're a good fit for their particular ministry.

My greatest respect goes out to those helping children... disadvantaged, handicapped, or with severe medical problems. I can not do that because I simply can't deal with a neglected/abused/injured/handicapped child... life just shouldn't be that way for them. But those who can... are incredible people without exception.

Yeah, it's not like I have to put it on my resume or what not lol.

I did the candy striper thing when I was 14'ish. I was in all areas of Kennestone hospital including the ER and NICU. I'll never forget - a group of ladies sent me to get their lunch one time. While I was wheeling it back, the cart hit my heel and most of the food fell to the ground. This was in a main hallway so people were walking by with, 'oh do you need some help honey' or they were just laughing, period. I picked up what I could and half-assed slapped lettuce on to sandwiches and tomato on whatever, etc. Then wheeled it to them like nothing ever happened. Didn't dawn on me till later that day that security was probably laughing their asses off due to the cameras everywhere :/.

My response is a bit late, but based on that reaction that's the best suggestion in the thread. I think the only options are things you're already into, because volunteering is always good technically, but it's even better when you're doing something you enjoy. The only catch is if, for some reason, you don't jive with other volunteers or people you're helping. You seem like a pretty friendly person here, so I bet any person you help with their look will be appreciative and thankful, even if they're not too concerned with their treatments' side effects.

My examples: The best so far has been park maintenance; it's manual labor just like at the end of Office Space, and it maintains and updates the community's parks.
Least favorite was at a computer recycling non-profit. Even though I'm way the hell into computers, apparently the stereotypes of self-indulged computer dicks exist, and there was always one telling me I had no idea what I was doing. But they were wrong, their knowledge was limited in comparison and had no idea what their advice was based on. Very surprising :)

Let us know how yours turns out :)

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Hands On Atlanta

I have done all kinds of volunteer work, from photocopying endless piles of stuff for teachers to trail maintenance to weeding community gardens to feeding the homeless to being a gofer for a summer arts camp. I just like helping others. It really doesn't matter what I'm doing, because at the end of the day I go home feeling like I've made the world a little bit better, and that's really all I need.

Don't be afraid to try a bunch of different things--there are a lot of one-off volunteer opportunities, like park clean-ups and whatnot. Yeah, cleaning up a park or beach sounds kinda gross but I've always found it to be one of my favorite volunteer activities. There is something inherently satisfying about making litter disappear!

Volunteering is always a wonderful thing to do, no matter what you decide to do. There are some great choices. I know someone who is a volunteer at a no kill animal shelter walking and socializing dogs, and she loves it. The animals are so grateful for the attention, and there are so many who need a little bit of love.

I will. ty :).
I was a tech for a veterinary internal med specialist a while back. I ended up bringing 3 animals home. Two are deceased now but basically, I can't chance a stockpile of 4-leggeds any longer!

I actually do some behind-the-scenes work with one foster organization though. I assist with site maintenance and the administering of vaccinations when they're tight on help. They know to keep me last on the list though - I don't separate from animals I've bonded with well lol.

If you want to help animals but want to avoid taking them home, try AWARE. You can't take them home.

This looks too cool.
I'll check into it further.

ty!

I found a few places to look into over the past 4 hours ---

They're looking for hospice volunteers to provide companionship to terminally ill patients. This is actually right up my alley. I came very close to (and am still considering,) going to school for mortuary science. No, I don't wear white make up and dye my hair jet black - not that there's anything wrong with that. I don't fear death. I find it beautiful. And I think it would be quite touching and incredibly moving / humbling to be a part of someone's life during their final days. Whether it be reading to them or talking with them or even helping them take a bath, etc. I'm all over it. Really excited about this. I didn't think it would be so easy to find volunteer jobs like this but I found 4 tonight.

Death is not a job people are knocking down doors to sign up for. I have a good feeling about this. I hope it works out.

'Aware' is #5 on my list if the others don't work. So I still thank you PJ for your suggestion. :)