Lisa Rabasca-Roepe in her Feb. 17, 2024 article, “Volunteering Can Combat Loneliness and Boost Your Mental Health” (Success Magazine) says there are “5 things to consider before volunteering to help your mental health”:
She says, “Volunteer work should speak to something you enjoy doing.
1.Make sure it sparks joy.” What gives you the greatest joy?
2. “Set an easy achievable goal.”
A large number of people think of donating during the holiday season, but most people enjoy eating year-round. There are opportunities to volunteer throughout the year. Whether you decide to volunteer with your family to feed the homeless at a local Church or Synagogue, pack lunches at a local Childhood Hunger Center set a goal that works for you!
3. “Your volunteer work can be a one-time event.”
Purchasing pies to feed the homeless at the local center or donating other foods needed. Helping at the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
4. “Volunteer for the right reasons.”
If you are asked to volunteer at a soup kitchen over the holidays to serve meals to the homeless that’s alright, but if you are asked to volunteer at a restaurant to help them out that’s not alright!
5. “It’s ok to set boundaries.”
Lisa Rabasca-Roepe says, “Be clear about the personal boundaries that you need to put in place so that you can serve in a way that makes a difference to the organization and that is sustainable. Avoid making volunteering another obligation or task on your to-do list.”
One way to identify a worthy cause or causes is to choose something meaningful to you. The other way is to identify an enemy. What gets your blood boiling?
· Childhood hunger and nutrition ignorance
· Addiction
· Mental illness
· Human trafficking
· Obesity
· Domestic abuse
· Illiteracy
My husband's Rotary Club volunteered to prepare and pack meals for the children in the local public schools. 60-80% of children in the public schools receive free and reduced-price meals.
As someone who has worked in education for years, I know that when stomachs are empty, it becomes hard to fill the mind.
We began our adventure at the center at 5:15 pm on Jan. 10, 2024. My husband and I joined 6 members of his civics club and a family of 4, Mom and Dad and their elementary age children 8 and 9 years old. The requirement to volunteer is to be at least 8 years old.
We volunteered to work on an assembly line to make up meals for the hungry kids in the public schools.
The head Supervisor showed us a short video and then taught each person on the assembly line how to add 1 item and how to place each item in the gallon zip lock bag so it would fit. 12 persons were on the assembly line and 12 items were put in each bag.
· Eight of us were from a Rotary Club and a family of 4, two parents and their elementary aged children filled out the assembly line.
People worked together in a happy manner wanting to help others.
Some of the Items for each gallon zip lock bag were Spaghetti O’s, chocolate milk, mango juice, apple sauce, strawberry yogurt or fruit cup, trail mix, snack bags….
We were united by a Common Purpose: To help others. (Common mission and vision)
· Well organized
· Pleasant atmosphere to work
· People smiled and were appreciative of the help to put meals together for children in the free meals program at the local public schools.
· Everyone spoke in a pleasing voice. Smiling and encouraging others as we placed our item in the bag and slid it to the next person.
· Encouraging and motivating atmosphere. While working supervisors went around and said what a good job you’re doing!
· 360-degree experience.
The supervisor, with a smile on her face, proudly announced at 7:10pm that our group of volunteers had assembled 645 lunch bags for the children. She was very proud of our work! She took a picture of our smiling faces.
Helping others is a wonderful feeling and makes me smile!
Volunteer for a cause you believe in. Try it once.
Help others that are less fortunate. Challenge yourself to find something you passionately care about. What are your needs? Why?
Whatever your cause is, smile more!
Madeline Frank, Ph.D., is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, concert artist, and parent. She helps businesses and organizations “Tune Up their Business”. Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget” is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a speaker or virtual speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com