A LITTLE BIT OF SPARE TIME
In Midlife you come up for a breath of air and realize that you have all you need and a little bit left over. For some that means they need to keep working until the little bit left over becomes a bigger and bigger bit......for others of us it means that we can slow down a little and look at how we can give something back.WHEN I WAS YOUNGER
When I had young children, it meant volunteering at their school, listening to children read, covering library books, being part of the P&C (I think that's the PTA in America) and being the secretary for a local community group. As the kids got older, I branched out a little bit more and started caring for newborn twins or triplets for half a day a week - through the Red Cross Family Support program. I just loved the interaction with those babies and the added bonus of giving their mums a little bit of head space for a few hours.TODAY
Now I'm back to helping at my local primary school where I mentor a young boy who has a bit of an unsettled family life and just needs someone to show some interest in him and make him feel special. So easy for me to do that for an hour or so each week, and so nice to know that it makes him a little more secure and confident.
There are so many varieties of ways to volunteer your time - so many areas where an added pair of hands would make a difference. I found the easiest way for me was to look at what I enjoy doing and see if there was a place where I could put that to good use. There are volunteer organizations everywhere who are waiting with open arms for helpers to volunteer - why not hook up with one and spread a little bit of love around?
See you tomorrow for W which is for Wisdom.
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Volunteering is so rewarding
ReplyDeleteThats such an awesome thing to do Leanne. Loved hearing how you are spending your time so well and putting in care into a child who needs it badly! More Power to you!!
ReplyDeleteVanillabeans & Peppercorns
There are so many amazing nonprofits that are always looking for volunteers. My daughter and I recently helped out with a local fundraising - The Chocolate Lovers' Fling. Lots of fun and in support of a great cause. WeekendsInMaine
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice for V, and for life generally. A little compassion goes a long way. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteHere from the A-Z and loved the generosity of spirit shining through your blog.
All the best,
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
That is so great that you are mentoring a young boy. A volunteer opportunity I never really considered until now.
ReplyDeleteWe just had Volunteer Recognition in our community. So inspiring! I volunteer at our local hospital and the board of aging. Thanks for all you do, Leanne!
ReplyDeletewww.meinthemiddlewrites.com
giving your free time to some great cause or person in need is very rewarding
ReplyDeleteLove what you do and do what you love, it's really simple if you can make it happen, right? I am sure you're making a huge difference in that boy's life!
ReplyDeleteI was on the board of a women's charity for a couple of years. These days I'm a "freelance activity planner" (I totally made that title up) for a local association that takes care of our village's families: maintaining the playground, organizing Dad/Children weekends, offering coffee and cake during Christmas lightning and the like. Next month I'm supposed to set up a "world trip themed" forest treasure hunt.
I'm back to working for a Non-Profit and we so appreciate all the support we get from volunteers.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post!
ReplyDeleteI always think about volunteering. But I need to make money with many setbacks along our way. That said I'd like to devote time as you do. Sometimes my disease gets in the way of my best intentions. So I'll click to see what information you are offering. Great job, Leanne, in giving back to others!
ReplyDeleteI love this. And what you're doing. I was raised to believe that service is the rent we pay for a living. So volunteering is an intregal part of every day life over here.
ReplyDeleteVolunteering is so important and vital to communities!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the little boy has you. You see how much simple love and attention means when you work with kids who don't get enough of it. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for attending the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. I shared your post on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
ReplyDeleteVolunteer work is soul satisfying. Good on you for helping a child in need. It's my retirement plan to do volunteer work.
ReplyDeleteSuzy at Someday Somewhere - Variety of thoughts
Volunteering has always been part of my life - it is now (outside of what I do with my kids - how I find space for me) and I suspect it will be once I "crest the hill" as well (to quote a wise blogger :)). - Louise
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