Why I volunteer by Carole Thimidis

There’s very few organizations that need to raise money, that could function without volunteers. I volunteer with organizations whose role it is to help others. Most of these organizations couldn’t manage without all the good people who give their time so freely. We work hard, are reliable and are essential to raising funds needed to continue to be able to serve our community. Which brings us joy in that we have a purpose.

The other side of volunteering is what we, the volunteers get from giving our time freely. We meet others, sometimes like ourselves and sometimes very different. Volunteering brings together people whose backgrounds, experiences and lives are very disparate but because our aim is to be of service to our community, we find we do have more in common than we thought. We learn to appreciate our differences and what different skills we all bring to helping others. Knowing you have to be at your job on a certain day and at a certain time, gives a reason to get up, get dressed and start the day with a smile. I’ve been volunteering for most of my adult life. Even when I worked full time to make a living, I still found time to volunteer as this gave me fulfillment that paid work couldn’t.

Thru this work, I’ve met some of my best friends. I’ve also met and become friends with people who are so different than I. We learn to be less judgemental of others as we are working for a common good. Also, we meet the community. Almost everyone in town has come into our Thrift Shop at sometime or another as we’ll have things no other shop would need to carry. The tourists love our shop and we, the volunteers get to meet others from different countries, cities and towns. We can also take your items that are no longer needed and find these items a good home. Can’t find what you need today? Come back tomorrow and there’s a good chance you’ll find it then. If not, then the next day. Personally I’m a label shopper and I find the best items for unbeatable prices. Or, I’ll find something special with a label that’s new to me. By helping a customer to find their special items we are able to help them find something they didn’t know they needed. Plus we all need to be part of something bigger than ourselves. The joy we get from helping others, the pleasure in meeting new people and being part of an organization whose whole purpose is helping seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible is what keeps me going. As a senior myself, I know this organization will be there for me when my time comes. Volunteering keeps us young as we are part of a much needed whole. Personally it gives me the gift of being needed, knowing my knowledge is still useful. This is something we all need, to have a purpose in our lives.