topic Re: Volunteer work in Among Friends

Volunteer work

smoochy — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:38:14 GMT

Do you do any volunteer work? I would be interested in what you have done and what you are currently involved in.

Since retiring seven years ago I have volunteered in the following:

* hospice facility-greeter

*free medical clinic-triage phone nurse

* YMCA reading program for underprivileged kids-helping kindergarten and third grade students improve their reading skills

the reading program is starting up again as the public schools began the new school year yesterday. It was fairly rewarding I must say. However I have decided to go back to the hospice instead. As a retired RN with experience in that field, I feel very comfortable there. My role is to sit at a desk just inside the locked entrance-watch the door camera, screen visitors, buzz them in. Get them signed in. Also show them to the room and nurses station if necessary. Be a good listener. I may also do visits to home bound hospice patients, whether in their own homes or nursing care facilities.

Jobs I'm "forbidden" to do by my hubby as he knows the outcome 😉 and he would be right

1. Any dog or cat rescue or shelter

2. Fostering kittens

Re: Volunteer work

kaydee50 — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:41:09 GMT

For several years I would go once a month with my parish group to a soup kitchen in Manhattan. We fed about 1,000 guests each Sunday. That was such a rewarding experience. But it involved standing for 2 to 3 hours which I can no longer do.

Now I belong to 2 knitting groups that make hats, shawls, scarves, baby blankets. I can do that sitting down--LOL!!

Re: Volunteer work

Skyegirl21 — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:41:55 GMT

I work retail at a nice quality thrift shop in my town that runs to support many local charities - It is totally non-profit. I get some great stuff there and unload a lot too! It's a win-win, and I meet some interesting and nice people! 💝💝

Re: Volunteer work

colleena — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:53:04 GMT

@smoochy We had a Stuff the Bus event at local store yesterday for donations to help families with school supplies, I helped for almost 3 hours & came away w/good feeling from talking w/other volunteers, people donating and store employees.

I also help w/our local community theaters as much as I can.

And do alot of what I call one & dones where a specific need/event is posted & I help out but they dont have a need after.

Re: Volunteer work

Meowingkitty — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:02:42 GMT

I volunteered at an animal shelter several years ago and it was fun but I had a tough time fitting it into my schedule. It was tough leaving the kitties behind. I wanted to take them all home. I'm pretty picky as to volunteering. I'm not comfortable with kids or seniors.

Re: Volunteer work

smoochy — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:17:48 GMT

@Meowingkitty wrote:
I volunteered at an animal shelter several years ago and it was fun but I had a tough time fitting it into my schedule. It was tough leaving the kitties behind. I wanted to take them all home. I'm pretty picky as to volunteering. I'm not comfortable with kids or seniors.

any special reasons for that? Yeah there are definitely some situations that wouldn't be a good fit for me either

Re: Volunteer work

smoochy — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:20:02 GMT

love hearing your stories. You are awesome for doing what you do!!

Re: Volunteer work

SilleeMee — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:26:14 GMT

When I was younger and healthy I volunteered for many years as a member of my county mountain search and rescue team. It was physically challenging and the call of duty came at the drop of a hat. I loved it and I would do it again if I was still young and healthy.

Re: Volunteer work

I am still oxox — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:26:37 GMT

I was a Girl Scout leader for around 7 years I really loved doing it. Thing is I have no kids but I loved being a Scout so I enjoyed my years of volunteering. I am still friendly with some of the parents of my girls. They are now out of college and out in the world

Re: Volunteer work

Puzzle Piece — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:41:51 GMT

Volunteered at The American Cancer Society Thrift Store until it closed. Then at a large church helping in the mailing room.

Volunteered at the library to read to the children.

Volunteered at a museum as a docent.

My move where I live now was too far away to do what I enjoyed in volunteering.

Re: Volunteer work

amyb — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:27:34 GMT

I haven't lately, but have in the past...

Volunteered at our CT Foodbank doing various things...fruit sorting with all their apple picking, helping pack up bags for pick up around "crunch" times, like for holidays and various other things.

Used to do some writing for a weekly newsletter a local farmer's market put out, interviewing, highlighting particular vendors, writing about them and their businesses. I enjoyed that, but then they got a new person in charge and not even sure they continued the newsletter.

Worked at one of the admission posts at our town's annual handicrafts art/crafts fair on our town green one year.

Worked a food drive event last year around Thanksgiving...handing out donation bags, turkeys etc.

At some point would like to do something again for some local non-profit or something that interests me or needs help...but haven't lately.

Re: Volunteer work

Meowingkitty — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:57:10 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
@Meowingkitty wrote:
I volunteered at an animal shelter several years ago and it was fun but I had a tough time fitting it into my schedule. It was tough leaving the kitties behind. I wanted to take them all home. I'm pretty picky as to volunteering. I'm not comfortable with kids or seniors.

any special reasons for that? Yeah there are definitely some situations that wouldn't be a good fit for me either

******

I've just never been fond of kids and never been around them (choose not to have them and I was an only child) and as for seniors I took care of my aunt and mother and just don't want to do it again.

Re: Volunteer work

Tallgal — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:04:50 GMT

I currently volunteer at the SPCA in my town . I have volunteered for over 6 years. I love my SPCA we do so much for our community. As a volunteer I help with washing dirty laundry and dishes, cleaning cat and dog kennels, walking dogs and socializing cats. I also help with summer camp for the children, Vaccine Clinic and offsite events. My favorite is being a Transport driver. I drive our van and bring back cats and dogs from over crowded municipal shelters. As a nonprofit we support our local shelters by taking in their animals, Several years ago we brought back 23 beagles from an Envigo laboratory . Volunteering gives meaning and purpose to my life. I love supporting my community . Since volunteering I have only adopted Jasmine my sweet ginger cat.

Re: Volunteer work

JoyFilled Warrior — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:02:58 GMT

.. such wonderful, wonderful "skin-faced angels" among us!

Re: Volunteer work

Zoe — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:13:18 GMT

Deliver weekly for Meals on Wheels for the past 12 years.
At least once a month, work at our local food bank doing personal shopping, packing boxes, dropping off food pantry deliveries
Cook dinner for a drop-in youth center in our town once a month
Part of the RMHC Cookie Crew once a month
Always adopt a family from a local DV shelter during the holidays
Organize the Toys for Tots drive in our neighborhood for the past 15 years running

Giving back to my community has been a life-long passion I've been committed to since I was in elementary school, and I can't wait to do more of it when I'm retired!

Great question! Nice to see how everyone is spending their time. Thank you all for sharing.

Re: Volunteer work

We rescue cats — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:16:21 GMT

I volunteered with our local shelter for a few years, but left my heart there way too often so I had to resign.

Served on the board at our local Women's help center and also on the Fund Development committee. I help out at a Spay & Neuter group, we raise $$ to help folk pay for the procedure.

Was a volunteer with a local Art Gallery,worked at all of our fundraisers-it was always fun!

Was on the board of the local Red Cross Chapter, ended up as chairman during the events of 9/11. We planned the services, fed the FBI and workers, arranged for the families of the victims to come to town for the services. . . most of us have never been the same since.

Was on our Parish Council, helped out in the kitchen when needed, drove some of our members to dr. appointments, picked up groceries and helped out with food drives.

There is always a lot of volunteer positions available but I learned that we need to treat it like a job. Folks are counting on us to show up on time and do the best we can.

Re: Volunteer work

Carmie — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:20:26 GMT

I volunterred for eight years at a local elementary school until Covid hit. After that, I didn't go back.

I have been a Girl Scout leader and have volunteered to cut hair in a drug and alcohol rehab center.

Right now, I just do the laundry for an older friend of mine who is in a nursing center. I am also her POA.

And I ocassionally bake or supply soups to a local school for their fund raisers.

I've done other things in the past and will probably do more in the future if someone needs help.

Re: Volunteer work

LuvmyLab — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:56:29 GMT

For the last 8 1/2 years, I have been volunteering at our local hospital. I find the work very rewarding and fulfilling.

Re: Volunteer work

smoochy — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 22:07:39 GMT

you guys are making me want to cry. The differences you make/made in your communities.. to even just one person or animal...its beyond admirable.

To @Meowing Kitty i totally understand your perspective on kids and old people. Actually i respect you for having this insight. That you can tailor your volunteer work to what suits your personality. 🥰

@We rescue cats you said it, sister. We must treat these positions as jobs- people depend on us. Sure you can more easily take time off. That's a perk of being unpaid labor, lol. But be on time, reliable, pleasant to be around.

Re: Volunteer work

smoochy — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 22:08:26 GMT

@LuvmyLab wrote:
For the last 8 1/2 years, I have been volunteering at our local hospital. I find the work very rewarding and fulfilling.

tell us what you do at the hospital