~Terri Guillemets
It's National Volunteer Week -- time to thank volunteers and assess the volunteering we do, see if there's anything else we'd like to try.
I've talked about volunteers occasionally before, such as morgue volunteers, book movers, and my own tutoring.
Recently, I received a hospice press release about all the different types of volunteers who help with their work and I was really struck by the variety:
· Licensed cosmetologists: Provide haircuts and other grooming to our patients in their homes.
· Healing Arts: Licensed massage therapists, musicians and artists, people to perform Aromatherapy, Comfort Touch, acupuncture and reiki.
· Pet therapy: Licensed pet therapists as well as dog owners who are interested in having their dogs certified as comfort pets through our partner program with Petco.
· Threshold Choirs: Sing with small groups at the homes and bedsides of hospice patients to bring ease and comfort to those at the threshold of living and dying.
· Camp Volunteers: Be a Big Buddy to a child or teen at our summer bereavement camps held from Aug. 11 to 13.
· Patient care: Provide companionship and a supportive presence for our patients and respite for caregivers. They offer a listening ear, open mind and loving heart to those in our care.
· Vet-to-Vet Volunteer: These are patient care volunteers who have a military background who are assigned to visit patients who are veterans.
So many people who are needed, so many ways to help. Why am I including volunteering on Wellness Wednesday? Because volunteering makes you feel better, as well as helping others. If you aren't currently in a place in your life where you can do consistent volunteering, consider one-time events.
I loved these kids explaining what a volunteer is:
Nice song:
One place to find volunteer opportunities
Here's another: Volunteer Match
I volunteered at the home where my husband was after he passed, Tabatha. I had been there every day and knew all the patients. It was a good thing for them I think, and a good thing for me. There were others who did come in, some to play music and lead old songs, some to give manicures to the women. As one connected to a patient, I appreciated every one. Now I've ended up as the volunteer manager at an independent used bookstore that is over 40 years old, same building, same neighborhood, run entirely by volunteers. It is a joy to be there and help the wider community. We are a non-profit 501(c)(4), and help teachers and students, etc. Thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for everything you do for your community, Linda! I know you made a wonderful contribution as a teacher, too.
ReplyDelete