I would like to take a moment to describe one of the nicest things in the world that each of us can do...that is to volunteer!
Now, to volunteer all you need is yourself, and a bit of spare time!
What can you do as a volunteer?
Well, there are SOOO many things, let me list just a few:
Volunteer to help at a nursing home or at a home for disabled adults. Go there and maybe play a game, read a book together, go for a walk, look over pictures fro the persons past, let the elderly or disabled teach YOU how do do something they like to do. I can't tell you how good you will feel inside! I used to volunteer to go to theme parks, carnivals, etc...with dadults who have developmental disabilities. They just LOVE the company, the fun of being outdoors and playing, going on rides, eating out...all the fun stuff wa sometinmes take for granted!
OK, if you are not into elderly people or people with disabilities, how about volunteering for children? there are "foster grandparent" programs in many "head start" facilities, also can look into a day care setting, or big brothers/big sisters...
How about anilmal lovers? I find nothing beter than taking my dog Goldie on each saturday to different Petco's and we volunteer our time, along with other dogs and owners, to educate the public on ex racing greyhounds. We raise money that goes DIRECTLY to feed the hundreds of dogs left on the tracks after the racing season is over, and they have no homes. Also, we try to fing homes for some of our foster dogs.
There are animal shelters that need people to co in and pet teh animals, exercise them, play with them...
Oh, there is SOOOOO much to do. Really, anyhting you could think of, you could volunteer, and BOY it will make you feel so good inside. AND you will be doing a service to yur community, your COUNTRY, and in turn, the world!

Please, post some more ideas here on ways to help out , be it volunteering, or however else you can think of. Who knws what good ideas there are out ther, just WAITING to happen?

Love, Dara

Dear Dara,

This is an interesting forum because as we share our ideas, we get to know one another.

One of the most astounding things happening in my life right now happens to revolve around volunteering.
My husband needs a kidney transplant but none of us in our family were the right blood type. His best friend volunteered to be tested as a donor, and when his blood type came back as a match, he then volunteered to go ahead and be an actual donor. This is a truly amazing act of courage and generosity. I wonder what it is like to give a living part of yourself to improve the quality of someone else's life when they are not even a member of your family and you yourself are perfectly healthy. The surgery must be scary, yet this high school friend is willing to put everything on the line to reach out and help us. At times, it seems surreal. Having a member of my family who needs a kidney, I signed a univeral donor card before this friend came foreward.
I'll let you know what happens as this new life unfolds.
There is a feeling of responsibility and deep respect for the donor as well as wondering how to make sure nothing happens to either of them in surgery or afterward. Our whole family has a greater awareness of the interconnectedness of life on this planet as we share this experience with our friend. Is anyone here in a similar situation? I would like to hear about it.

Sincerely,
Janice

WOW Janice! I will be praying for the health of your husbandm, and his friend who is donating the kidney! What better a gift can one give, then the gift that saves a life?

There are ways we can help out others as well. For instance, registering as a bone marrow donor. This is a test which would list you on the registry for bone marrow types. Then, if someone is in need of a bone match, they would use your Marrow! Another way to save a life!!!
How about signing your organ donor card, AND letting friends and family KNOW you want to be an organ donor. Often times, even if you are a signed organ donor, family can override that. But if you are close with your family and make your wishes KNOWN, you will be assured to have your family honor your decision to be a donor.

Hope to hear more about this form lots of people!

Love, Dara