Fruitful Friday Volunteering In Your Community

Volunteering In Your Community

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Hebrews 13:16

Well, It's 9:57 p.m. and it is still Friday on the West Coast. I made it by just a few hours! ha :)
I know it's late but this is the first time I could sit down today and blog!

Today I want to talk about the joys of volunteering. Volunteering in your local community is something I encourage all of you to do at some point. It is truly one of the most rewarding experiences.

We have close family friends (The Beauchemins), who I grew up with. The Beauchemins have three daughters and one son. As a little girl, I can remember all the Beauchemin girls being Candy Stripers at a local hospital in their community. I looked up to these girls and told my Mother that I too wanted to become a Candy Striper when I was of age.

So, when I was thirteen my Mom took me along with my girlfriend to our towns local hospital to sign up to become Junior Volunteers or Candy Stripers!

I LOVED being a Candy Striper. I volunteered twice a week during the school year and almost everyday during the summer. I started off working the hospital floors serving water and magazines to the patients who were terminally ill. Eventually, I began to build friendships with many of the patients. After a year or so working on the hospital floors I then switched to help out in Medical Records. An interesting job, but not my favorite. I preferred to be working with the people. I am a people person and I love to talk and be social!

Well, middle school came and went and I began my Freshman year of high school. I became interested in teaching and I loved working with children. The director of the Volunteer program asked me if I had any interest in volunteering in the hospital's daycare center. I jumped at the opportunity!!! It was during my four years of volunteering with that daycare center that my love and passion for teaching bloomed!!!
I finally stopped volunteering as a candy striper the Summer after my Senior year of high school, just before I started college.


Today, I volunteer with two organizations. First, as a L.I.N.K.S mentor for the Marine Corps. L.I.N.K.S is a program for family members of Marines. They offer classes and training to help family members of Marines become more familiar with The Marine Corps in several areas, Marine Corps History, Deployment and life on the base. I teach Marine Corps history.

Here I am with some of my L.I.N.K.S friends!

http://www.usmc-mccs.org/links/




I also am a member of The Junior League. "The Junior League is an excellent women's organization.Founded in 1901 by Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, creating demonstrable community impact." Junior League women volunteer in the areas of teaching literacy, building homes,charitable funds and so much more. You can check out The Junior League on their website: http://www.ajli.org/

I strongly believe in helping others. Remember to do it with a pure heart and for God's glory, not for your own.

I would love to hear where you volunteer! I'm sure many of you have stories to share that will bless us. Please share any experiences you might have had with helping others. Please Link up!! :)

Blessings,