Volunteers

I was raised in the Volunteer state of Tennessee gaining its nickname during the Mexican War to gain Texas territory in 1946. 30,000 soldiers volunteered their services in support of President James K. Polk.

I was fortunate to have parents who lived by example to volunteer their free time and money. My father was active in the church donating time with Sunday school, community outreaches, and graphic designs. He became involved with Prison Ministries befriending a man who though remorseful of his crime still had a debt to pay. My father never met a stranger adopting an international college student, becoming a sergeant father to inner city boys, and offering a helping hand to anyone in need. My mother has always had a nurturing heart. How many times had she opened her home to someone in transition? To a beloved elderly woman recovering from a hospital stay to recent college students just getting started to families moving to a new town.

My parents have been an awesome example of what it means to help our fellow man. Look around and there are organizations, foundations, centers, shelters everywhere depending on volunteer workers to get the job done. No money to donate. No matter because time is just as valuable.

That is my place at present. I have some extra time. I do not want to place my daughter in childcare. If I am volunteering Lucy comes too, right? Besides, I want her to have the exposure. We cannot focus exclusively on ourselves. We need to extend a helping hand or we will become self-centered. I want my daughter to see first hand helping others is much more rewarding than constantly seeking self-contentment.

After the whole Planned Parenthood video scandal I realized encouraging people to voice defunding the program is not enough. (Since this is my blog I get iterate my opinion. If Planned Parenthood is so important and precious then it should have no difficulty acquiring private donations to keep it operating, just like all the pregnancy centers manage to do. It simply is not ethical it use tax payers' money, most of whom disapprove to fund this organization.) I needed to get involved. A local pregnancy chapter called The New Life Center reaches out to women who have chosen to continue their pregnancy. There is focus on education and resources. Most importantly it is important to show the mother and father they are loved and they are not alone in the journey. The local support through churches and dedicated volunteers is astounding. There is no end to the amazing generosity. I feel very blessed to assist and know such loving people.

Then, rather by accident my daughter and I started volunteering at our closest animal rescue. After a few adjustments we now one evening a week clean the rooms and feed the cats. Lucy has taken quite a fancy to the cats throwing a ball to draw a prancing kitty's attention or scooping food for them. Again, the amount of help and support the shelter receives is astonishing. Day after day, week after week volunteers come in clean poop and pee, mop, groom, feed, and love these furry creatures with nothing in return apart from the satisfaction a life is being saved.

That is how it goes in this country. Volunteers trying to make the world a better place. Whether for a campaign or an endangered habitat. For recycling or disease/cancer awareness. Bee clubs or quilt clubs. Libraries or education. For refugees or rehab meetings. Bike rallies or homeless outreaches. There are medical aid, missionaries, and humanitarian efforts. All necessary. All driven by love and concern. It is one more reason that makes our country unique. It is one more reason we should cherish our humanity.