Make it Happen Mondays

All over the USA, Seniors are using their years of experience and knowledge in a servant leadership capacity in their communities. They are volunteering their services when needed. On Mondays we are looking forward to sharing the stories of some of these "make it happen" senior volunteers along with interesting volunteering opportunities.

How do I volunteer?

In the AARP Bulletin for July/August they have a brief section called In the Know-Ask the Experts. One of the questions this month was:

"I'm getting ready to retire. I would like to volunteer in my community but I don't know where to begin. Any ideas?"

The answer:

"You're in great company. A whooping 61 million people are currently volunteering around the country, according to government statistics. To begin you need to decide what interests you--working with children or with an animal welfare group or for a particular cause.

To find a volunteer opportunity near you, go to the government's website, http://www.serve.gov/, and plug in your ZIP code.

AARP also lists hundreds of volunteer jobs at www.aarp.org/makeadifference. The site matches individual interests with opportunities and enables volunteers to share their exeriences."

Another interesting site, http://www.volunteermatch.org/, says this about themselves:

"VolunteerMatch strengthens communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect."

And of course you can always search on Google. When I searched for Volunteer in Dallas Tx this is what appeared:

I love the idea of volunteering! With all we are blessed with in this great country of ours, it seems a shame when people are only willing to make an effort for others if they are paid.

Two of my favorite quotations about volunteers are from two exceptional people:

Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give."

And Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."