People who Care...

 

 

 

"There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer..."

 

 

 

Yesterday my wife and I attended an orientation meeting which was held at a youth drop in center. This drop in center has been on our "radar screen" for a few months now. We want to help out here because it is a great fit for us. It fits in nicely to our 2014 plan of sharing our time, talents and treasure. This center, which is located in a town near to us, is simply doing amazing things to help young people who have been marginalized not only by society, but with some of them, their own homes.

 

My wife and I always vet charities and organizations before we jump in with both feet. We have put this one under the microscope and it comes up clean - very clean. Here is the amazing thing about this center. It has been in existence for less than a year and has had almost 300 kids use the services there. Some have used the center many times. Some receive a hot meal in the evening, some get help with job searches or studies. Some just come to a welcoming and safe place to meet other youth and caring adults.

 

This center has ONE paid staff. The other 300+ people who work there are all volunteers. Some put in hundreds of hours last year, others just a few. However the focus and the purpose for these people is this - the fact there are so many homeless youths in this county is unacceptable. These volunteers don't waste time writing letters to the editor or complaining to others. These volunteers are just there to help young people who desperately need it.

 

Volunteerism has always interested me. What in the world motivates people to go to a place, work feverishly, not get a red cent, and then feel great afterward? What is it? A caring heart. Working in the non-profits that I have, I found that to be the common denominator. People who care. They care deeply and passionately. They are self motivated and self directed. They are simply amazing people.

 

Now that we are done with the first part of our training, we are ready to jump into the pool. Maybe not the deep end at first, but we are ready. I have three huge frozen tubs of chili ready to be served as an evening meal. That is where we will start. Where we will go after that is still a question. There are so many interesting areas we can help with, it will be a matter of trying to narrow them down.

 

What ever we do, it will be a ride. It will be great to help out someplace that needs more hands and feet to help others. In addition, it will be great to work with a bunch of folks who only want one thing - to help out where they can. To make a difference. To help out the hurting, the hungry, and the homeless. Blessing all, these folks are - blessings all.