26. Not using what you already have. For example, the trees in my area have been dropping tons of seeds onto my pea gravel walk paths in my garden. I tried raking - but it just wasn't doing a good enough job. I thought a leaf blower would be an easy solution, except I don't own a leaf blower, and I really didn't want to buy one that I would only use a couple of times a year. I thought about it for a couple days and thought I would try using my shop vac with the hose plugged into the exhaust hole. Worked like a charm! Also saved myself $50 - 100 bucks!
I recently helped out with Schools of Hope in Manhattan, KS -- reading for 30 minutes weekly with at-risk K-3rd grade kids. It was so rewarding to see how just a little attention could mean so much to them. It was sobering & sad to see kids whose parents don't have the time, energy or interest to help their kids, for a wide variety of reasons. One little girl & her younger brother couldn't purchase any books at the school's annual book fair, so I was thrilled to be able to give them each a surprise gift of two books & a bookmark. Having raised a bright, successful early reader & having books be a HUGE part of our home, this experience will stay with me & make me want to get involved with other literacy projects.
My most memorable volunteer experience was going to Miracle Ranch in Mexico with my 12 year old son and husband through Mariners Church. We brought the children food and clothes. While visiting we made and shared lunch with them, played games, and did crafts. The kids were loving and thankful. It was a wonderful experience.
I volunteered by translating for doctors appointments for non-English speaking elderly people, and it felt great because I know it made their life easier and alleviated a lot of stress for them.
The ronald mcdonald house because of my youngest daughter special needs and my family history, I can appreciate what is done for families who don't live in the immediate area or families who have children who need treatment, It can provide food, baths, snacks a place just to relax
Hi Ashley, firstly great blog post. As a carpet cleaner myself I find cleaning at home more of a chore! But funnily enough I agree with number one. Only 2 weeks ago after watching Saturday Morning Live, they cooked Lamb and the following day I attempted to do it myself. I firstly made sure the surfaces were all clean, then made the mess and cooked before cleaning up! ps it was lovely :)
I recently volunteered at my child's science fair, and I was completely blown away by how many great and amazing ideas I saw at the science fair. I don't think I could ever come up with half the things I saw! I definitely plan on helping out at next year's fair and I believe more of the parents should come out to support the children as well!
Whenever a local or national election rolls around, I make sure to volunteer as a poll worker at my city's polling station. I can speak Mandarin as well, so I help translate some of the ballot information to Chinese voters who can't speak or understand English. I believe its important that everyone gets a chance to express their voice in matters of politics, especially because it has everything to do with the people. And language barriers shouldn't stop that from happening.
I have volunteered at my community's annual blood drive a few times now. I myself could never donate because I absolutely hate needles, but volunteering still allows me to help this great cause. I have had many friends of friends who required emergency blood transfusions, so I know how important and crucial it can be to donate your blood. One day maybe I can get over my fear and donate myself.
Donating food to the local county food bank always makes the deepest impact on me.
The director told me that one in four children in our county goes to bed hungry each night. I find that so upsetting. NO child in our country much less in my county should ever have to go to bed hungry!
I'm involved in an organization at my college that outreaches to local high schools and helps them learn how to code and make computer programs. We set up and host tutoring sessions in which we help interested students get a head start on learning computer science and programming. I volunteer as often as I can, but my course load keeps me from devoting myself 100%. But I love what this organization does because I believe that computer science should become a part of all high schools' general curriculum because our society today is so dependent on computer technology and more people are needed to continue the innovation.
I'm with you on this - I try to find refurbished items whenever I can. But like you said, we have to be aware of certain things. I always check reviews and if it has a warranty. If it has neither then I move on. I've been burned before by getting something without reviews. I rather have somebody else find out first if the product is good or not... I'm okay waiting a few months.
Last year, I started volunteering at the library in my hometown after having frequented there so often. The library staff has always been so friendly and kind to me, so I thought this would be a nice way for me to repay their kindness. I mostly sort through returned books and repair damaged materials, which is quite calming. But I've also discovered many cool new books to read this way as well. I've been volunteering there for so long that visitors now consider me part of the staff and ask me for help (:
My boyfriend and I have really busy jobs, but we still take the time to go help out at the local food bank whenever we can. Sorting and packing food may not seem like the ideal way to spend a free day to most people, but for both of us, it feels great to do some good and actually makes us feel more relaxed. We've been able to get some of our other friends to help out as well.
I am a VITA volunteer for the first few months of the year during tax season. VITA volunteers provide FREE Income Tax Preparation Assistance to low-Income, elderly, disabled and limited English speaking people. It's rewarding that I can offer a service that will benefit them, as they usually get something back from filing their taxes.
When I was learning how to play the piano, my piano teacher asked me to practice more by volunteering to play for the elderly at a retirement home. I was super scared that i wouldn't play well, but she assured me that they'd just appreciate me just playing the piano. I was still nervous when I started out, but eventually I realized how happy they all were hearing me play. And it motivated me to play better faster! It was just incredible and I still thank my piano teacher to this day for making me volunteer.
What volunteer experience had the deepest impact on you? The volunteer experience that had the deepest impact for me is when I volunteered as an English Teacher with WorldTeach in China Hunan Program. What made it so impactful? What made it so impactful was what I learned from my Chinese students as well as what I could share with them about my experience being a Latina. Did you share the experience with someone else? I volunteered in 2009-2010 and I am still sharing stories about my experience!
I volunteered to be an assistant coach for my little brother's baseball team one summer. I didn't think much of it at first since I was mostly there to take care of my brother, but the longer I kept doing it, the more I found myself enjoying the gig. I was surprised by how competitive the little kids could get and how well they played the game. They could seriously give some major baseball players a run for their money. But most of all, I just enjoyed seeing my brother and his friends having a great time.
My friends and I have done a lot of volunteering at our church. We helped prepared the food for the daily meals they serve there. It felt a bit tedious at times, but my friends as well as the other church volunteers helped made it really fun. I also felt really happy to be helping my community too.
When I was very broke (protracted divorce, midlife college student) I offered to help sort clothing donated to a family shelter. It was a huge tangle in a small area and the other volunteers kept bumping into one another as we struggled to make sense of the stuff.
I was feeling claustrophobic and cranky, and was also acutely aware that I had homework to do and I also needed to vacuum the apartment building I was then managing.
Then I thought, "Will you LISTEN to yourself?"
"Be thankful you have a place of your own. Be thankful you have the chance to go to school at your age (or any age). Be thankful you have a job to complain about."
I needed that attitude adjustment. And I was grateful to get it.
26. Not using what you already have. For example, the trees in my area have been dropping tons of seeds onto my pea gravel walk paths in my garden. I tried raking - but it just wasn't doing a good enough job. I thought a leaf blower would be an easy solution, except I don't own a leaf blower, and I really didn't want to buy one that I would only use a couple of times a year. I thought about it for a couple days and thought I would try using my shop vac with the hose plugged into the exhaust hole. Worked like a charm! Also saved myself $50 - 100 bucks!
How do you intend to visit Moscow while in Europe?
I recently helped out with Schools of Hope in Manhattan, KS -- reading for 30 minutes weekly with at-risk K-3rd grade kids. It was so rewarding to see how just a little attention could mean so much to them. It was sobering & sad to see kids whose parents don't have the time, energy or interest to help their kids, for a wide variety of reasons. One little girl & her younger brother couldn't purchase any books at the school's annual book fair, so I was thrilled to be able to give them each a surprise gift of two books & a bookmark. Having raised a bright, successful early reader & having books be a HUGE part of our home, this experience will stay with me & make me want to get involved with other literacy projects.
The Grand Canyon! and while you're there - the Red Rocks of Sedona. Phenomenal. It was on my bucket list and I'm so glad we did it.
My most memorable volunteer experience was going to Miracle Ranch in Mexico with my 12 year old son and husband through Mariners Church. We brought the children food and clothes. While visiting we made and shared lunch with them, played games, and did crafts. The kids were loving and thankful. It was a wonderful experience.
I volunteered by translating for doctors appointments for non-English speaking elderly people, and it felt great because I know it made their life easier and alleviated a lot of stress for them.
When I was 16 I was a candy striper at the hospital. I did
It for three months and learned a lit.
The ronald mcdonald house because of my youngest daughter special needs and my family history, I can appreciate what is done for families who don't live in the immediate area or families who have children who need treatment, It can provide food, baths, snacks a place just to relax
Hi Ashley, firstly great blog post. As a carpet cleaner myself I find cleaning at home more of a chore! But funnily enough I agree with number one. Only 2 weeks ago after watching Saturday Morning Live, they cooked Lamb and the following day I attempted to do it myself. I firstly made sure the surfaces were all clean, then made the mess and cooked before cleaning up! ps it was lovely :)
I recently volunteered at my child's science fair, and I was completely blown away by how many great and amazing ideas I saw at the science fair. I don't think I could ever come up with half the things I saw! I definitely plan on helping out at next year's fair and I believe more of the parents should come out to support the children as well!
Whenever a local or national election rolls around, I make sure to volunteer as a poll worker at my city's polling station. I can speak Mandarin as well, so I help translate some of the ballot information to Chinese voters who can't speak or understand English. I believe its important that everyone gets a chance to express their voice in matters of politics, especially because it has everything to do with the people. And language barriers shouldn't stop that from happening.
I have volunteered at my community's annual blood drive a few times now. I myself could never donate because I absolutely hate needles, but volunteering still allows me to help this great cause. I have had many friends of friends who required emergency blood transfusions, so I know how important and crucial it can be to donate your blood. One day maybe I can get over my fear and donate myself.
Donating food to the local county food bank always makes the deepest impact on me.
The director told me that one in four children in our county goes to bed hungry each night. I find that so upsetting. NO child in our country much less in my county should ever have to go to bed hungry!
I had so my pride helping at our homeless shelter when me and my mom made apple pies for a fundraiser they had there so others could buy clothes.
I'm involved in an organization at my college that outreaches to local high schools and helps them learn how to code and make computer programs. We set up and host tutoring sessions in which we help interested students get a head start on learning computer science and programming. I volunteer as often as I can, but my course load keeps me from devoting myself 100%. But I love what this organization does because I believe that computer science should become a part of all high schools' general curriculum because our society today is so dependent on computer technology and more people are needed to continue the innovation.
I'm with you on this - I try to find refurbished items whenever I can. But like you said, we have to be aware of certain things. I always check reviews and if it has a warranty. If it has neither then I move on. I've been burned before by getting something without reviews. I rather have somebody else find out first if the product is good or not... I'm okay waiting a few months.
Last year, I started volunteering at the library in my hometown after having frequented there so often. The library staff has always been so friendly and kind to me, so I thought this would be a nice way for me to repay their kindness. I mostly sort through returned books and repair damaged materials, which is quite calming. But I've also discovered many cool new books to read this way as well. I've been volunteering there for so long that visitors now consider me part of the staff and ask me for help (:
My boyfriend and I have really busy jobs, but we still take the time to go help out at the local food bank whenever we can. Sorting and packing food may not seem like the ideal way to spend a free day to most people, but for both of us, it feels great to do some good and actually makes us feel more relaxed. We've been able to get some of our other friends to help out as well.
I am a VITA volunteer for the first few months of the year during tax season. VITA volunteers provide FREE Income Tax Preparation Assistance to low-Income, elderly, disabled and limited English speaking people. It's rewarding that I can offer a service that will benefit them, as they usually get something back from filing their taxes.
Only Schwab steps in when they know they can help.
When I was learning how to play the piano, my piano teacher asked me to practice more by volunteering to play for the elderly at a retirement home. I was super scared that i wouldn't play well, but she assured me that they'd just appreciate me just playing the piano. I was still nervous when I started out, but eventually I realized how happy they all were hearing me play. And it motivated me to play better faster! It was just incredible and I still thank my piano teacher to this day for making me volunteer.
What volunteer experience had the deepest impact on you? The volunteer experience that had the deepest impact for me is when I volunteered as an English Teacher with WorldTeach in China Hunan Program. What made it so impactful? What made it so impactful was what I learned from my Chinese students as well as what I could share with them about my experience being a Latina. Did you share the experience with someone else? I volunteered in 2009-2010 and I am still sharing stories about my experience!
I volunteered to be an assistant coach for my little brother's baseball team one summer. I didn't think much of it at first since I was mostly there to take care of my brother, but the longer I kept doing it, the more I found myself enjoying the gig. I was surprised by how competitive the little kids could get and how well they played the game. They could seriously give some major baseball players a run for their money. But most of all, I just enjoyed seeing my brother and his friends having a great time.
My friends and I have done a lot of volunteering at our church. We helped prepared the food for the daily meals they serve there. It felt a bit tedious at times, but my friends as well as the other church volunteers helped made it really fun. I also felt really happy to be helping my community too.
When I was very broke (protracted divorce, midlife college student) I offered to help sort clothing donated to a family shelter. It was a huge tangle in a small area and the other volunteers kept bumping into one another as we struggled to make sense of the stuff.
I was feeling claustrophobic and cranky, and was also acutely aware that I had homework to do and I also needed to vacuum the apartment building I was then managing.
Then I thought, "Will you LISTEN to yourself?"
"Be thankful you have a place of your own. Be thankful you have the chance to go to school at your age (or any age). Be thankful you have a job to complain about."
I needed that attitude adjustment. And I was grateful to get it.