Helping others and volunteering both your time and abilities will reap benefits for you and your community. When people come together to help one another, it is a win for everyone. Luckily, there are many opportunities available depending on your availability, skills, and comfort level. If you are an animal lover or a chef there are opportunities for everyone to help out in ways that are meaningful to them.
Education Opportunities
Have you ever taken a good, long look around your community and the schools within it? Have you noticed the quality of the buildings, the textbooks and laptops, and the dedication of the teachers? You have likely witnessed how lucky children in this country are to receive education in this capacity. Now, have you noticed how some areas of your world do not have the same access to education as America’s children do? Some companies such as Mission E4 have made it their life’s work to help those in need of more.
If you happen to have a chance to help in your community’s school system, approach the administration and offer your time and services. Some elementary school teachers need assistance with cutting papers for activities or laminating resources for reuse. Many teachers may not have access to an aide or assistant but have students at different ability levels within their classroom. Offering your time to help read one-on-one may make a difference in a child’s life.
Serve Your Community
Do you have any underprivileged or underserved areas within your community? Take time to reach out and offer your services. Discuss ways to accomplish both their current and long-term needs. Perhaps you have a particular skill set such as sewing or woodworking that will help them achieve their goals. Are you a financial planner with good communication skills? Consider offering financial literacy courses at a local library or women’s shelter, as appropriate.
Volunteer Your Time
You likely encounter friends or family who cook extra meals or volunteer at local soup kitchens around the holidays. Take a challenge to bring your whole family with you or invite a friend to help serve at a local shelter or soup kitchen. Place the opportunity to help others on your calendar and make it a regularly scheduled event throughout the year.
Meals on Wheels is another needful community service organization. This group brings food directly to the homes of those who cannot get food themselves. This population is generally made up of senior citizens who welcome both meals and the small window of opportunity to speak with someone and see a friendly face each weekday.
Benefits of Helping Others
When taking time out of your busy life and schedule to help others, you not only provide invaluable assistance to those in need, but you provide happiness to yourself, as well. Volunteerism and helping give you a chance to meet new and like-minded people. The same experience introduces you to people with a uniquely different history and mindset that you can learn from. Helping others then becomes a social event that will leave you refreshed and fulfilled. When you give of yourself, you often feel a greater sense of purpose and self-confidence from what you can give and accomplish. It is a win for everyone.
Go ahead and take a chance to do good work. You may teach your children or other family members a valuable lesson in helping people out of difficult situations by giving of yourself. You will go home feeling fulfilled and grateful for what you have.
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