Since I was a child, I can say I have been a volunteer. My mother was involved with the church and put on concerts to raise money for the erection of a bigger and better building. I and my brother who had both been sent to dancing school at a young age, were expected to perform. We both got used to it and it was part of our life.
The Oxford Dictionary describes volunteering as offering one’s services free of charge. When one volunteers you are donating your time and knowledge to assist others. It can be rescuing people in times of tragedy, performing or organising functions to raise money, repairing broken toys or serving food to starving people. As there is no monetary reward, it is generally done out of love.
When my brother and I performed while young, I wouldn’t say it was for love, but the applause at the end of the performance was enough for us to both say we enjoyed doing it. And learning to volunteer at an early age was a good start to helping others throughout my life.
There are two ways to help charitable organisations, donating money or physically helping to assist those in desperate situations. Those that donate money, that’s lovely and useful, but those that donate their time and work in the organisation not only assist the members of society in need, but gain long term friends and satisfaction with what they achieve.
Amongst society there are many people who need assistance. Those of us who can help should. It is all very well saying it’s not my job. We could all say that, and where would that leave society? Or, where would that leave the world? Probably In a worse situation than it is at the moment. And that would be pretty hard because currently the world is in a mess.
Many people now a days expect to receive, and don’t see the necessity to give. And volunteering is giving. Are children now encouraged to do things for others, like my brother and I were? I guess it boils down to the simple fact as to whether the parents were also taught to do things for others.
I live in Canberra, the Capital of Australia, and that city, which is an Australian Territory provides more volunteers per head of population than any other State in Australia. But this Territory has a significant proportion of adults aged between 55 to 64. And as many of them retire before they reach 60 there is an abundance of adults still capable of working, ready to volunteer their time. But the question here is why do they volunteer? My answer would be that they were taught to do so when they were young. Once a volunteer always a volunteer.
I volunteer at a community radio station. All of us are volunteers. Many have been involved with donating their services by working with other charitable organisations prior to joining the radio station or donating their time by performing on a regular basis for fundraising. They might get a boost when they have presented a radio program and people have rung saying thanks for what they have heard, but that is the only accolades they get. A bit like my brother and me at those Church concerts.
So, if you have never thought of volunteering, maybe now is the time to start. Don’t say why should I bother? Look around you and see the distress in other people’s lives, it would be selfish not to help.
There are so many organisations that need a hand. It doesn’t have to be strenuous. Many people work in charity shops and assist with the sales. Lots of people assist those who are disabled by driving them to and from appointments and to their shopping. Others assist with the likes of Red Cross by collecting money for the organisation. There are so many ways you can donate your time. And it doesn’t matter if you have a disability. If you can hold a conversation with someone on the phone, you can communicate with a lonely person and bring some joy in their life.
Go onto the internet and ask where you can volunteer in your suburb or home town, you will be surprised at the number of places listed. The world needs generous people willing to give their time. If you have never helped before, now is the time to give it a go. Find a place or a job on the internet that you think interesting and offer your services. Being a volunteer is not only fun but very satisfying. It is giving back to society and the world.
Julie Finch-Scally ©
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