WINSTON WEEKLY^[1]

October 13, 2024

Vol. 2, No. 41

GIVING HOPE

Whether responding to a disaster, assisting non-profits in their daily work, or lending a hand at events, Emily Andrew said, “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart.”  If you need inspiration or want to involve a child, niece, or other family member or friend in the community, dedicate time to a cause or organization. You never know who you might meet, what you may learn, or how spending even an hour or two can give hope to someone you never expected.

From food banks to libraries to parks to hospitals, volunteer opportunities abound. One volunteer said, “You don’t have to be a hero to be a volunteer. You just need to be willing to lend a hand, to listen, to show up. Because when we come together, we’re stronger than any crisis we face.”[2]

A fun book for introducing children to volunteering is The Littlest Volunteers by Danielle Speckhart. First published more than a decade ago, it was created with the help of parents and teachers and includes wonderful illustrations by Terry Kovalcik. For teenagers wanting to learn about volunteer opportunities, the application process, and expectations of volunteers, Jean Rawitt’s book, Volunteering: Insights and Tips for Teenagers is an excellent resource. Creating Opportunities, a Volunteer’s Memoir by Chris Snyder provides a global perspective of volunteering, with insightful questions at the end of each chapter. Although I had heard of some of the places referenced in the book, I knew little about them.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

If you already volunteer, consider expanding your horizons by volunteering for a cause or organization beyond your comfort zone. If you have never volunteered, libraries and community centers often need volunteers or know organizations or events needing volunteers. You can also join VolunteerMatch for free at www.volunteermatch.org. Started in 1998, the organization has connections with more than 100,000 organizations worldwide with over a million monthly volunteers.

---

[1] Copyright October 13, 2024. Winston Weekly is a weekly newsletter and blog by Alysen Bayles available at www.baylesconnect.com or by e-mail at baylesconnect@gmail.com. Please feel free to share with the appropriate attribute.

[2] www.speechrepository.com, Abudlbasit Toriola, Sept. 14, 2024.