Volunteering

Volunteering is intended to promote goodness or improve quality of life.  In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect within one’s self.  There is no financial gain involved for the individual.  Volunteering can offer skill development, socialization and fun to the individual who volunteers.  It can have a positive effect on the person and community.  Many volunteers are skilled or specifically trained in certain areas of work such as the medical field, education or emergency rescue.  Others serve on a as-needed basis.  During the 19th century, America experienced the Great Awakening.  People became aware of the disadvantaged.  First came the YMCA, then the YWCA to help others.  The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 and began mobilizing volunteers for disaster relief operations.  The Red Cross assisted victims of the Johnstown Floods in 1889.  The Salvation Army is a charity organization, but has organized many volunteering programs since its inception.  The Great Depression saw one of the first large-scale, nation-wide efforts to volunteer for a specific need.  In the first decades of the 20th century, several volunteer organizations were founded, including Rotary International, Kiwanis International, Lions Club International and Junior Leagues International.  You do not need to belong to any organization to be a volunteer.  You can volunteer at you child’s school, assist a veteran in need, help clean up your community, hold the hand of a sick person, read to someone – the list can go on forever.  Make yourself feel good and volunteer today, you never know what a difference you can make until you try.  De Hart Plumbing, serving Manhattan Kansas. Junction City Kansas and Wamego Kansas.