Volunteer? Who? Me? By Jean Hall Dwyer

The word is out. Everyone from the President on down is expecting Americans to pitch in and perform some volunteer work. It's good for the nation and even good for us--so they claim! Well, fine. They want us to volunteer, but what do they expect for us ordinary citizens to DO as a volunteer? Do you know? Who exactly is qualified to volunteer anyway?

Here are some thoughts on volunteering and exactly what qualifications are needed:

• If you can read out loud, you can volunteer to read to a blind person. Yes, there are books-on-tape available, but what about the local newspaper? Even you could spend an hour or so reading the news to someone who can't read it for themselves.
• If you like to sew, quilt, crochet or knit, how about working to make layettes for newborns at the local hospital. Lots of new parents can't afford to buy a special outfit and blanket to take their baby home from the hospital. You could make a family extremely happy by just practicing your hobby and donating the efforts.
• Do you really like to cook? How about baking up several dozen cookies or some cakes or pies and donating them to the local homeless shelter? Ask ahead to find out how many are needed and be sure to include any information about items that contain nuts or even eggs since some people are allergic.
• Is your hobby shopping? If so, you could budget in a few dollars each time you shop for purchasing items to donate to a local charity. The holidays are just past, but people are ALWAYS in need of food, personal care items, toys, clothing, diapers, and school supplies.
• If you're handy with tools, how about building toys? Foster care children often have nothing to call their own, and a small toy built just-for-them would bring a lot of cheer into a frightening situation.
• Another idea for someone good with tools is repairing bicycles. Oftentimes the police or another agency collects used bicycles to fix up and give to needy children. Most of these are given out at Christmas, but the repair work needs to go on all yearlong.
• No time for a hobby? You could even team up with a volunteer who has the time to make something to donate, but would really appreciate someone helping out with expenses.

Volunteer? Who? Me? Yes, you!