Looking for new volunteer opportunities.
I strive to volunteer on a weekly basis but am looking for some new volunteer opportunities. The places with which I currently affiliate my time include:
ARUP - I like to donate platelets on a bi-weekly basis, albeit I feel well. This is my favorite volunteer service because by sitting and watching a movie, I can directly impact a life. I choose to donate through ARUP because all donations are used at the local hospitals and very rarely do they receive enough donations to fulfill demand.
Climbing - During the summer I like to donate a climbing day a week to taking out climbing newbies. I do this because I used to be one of those newbies who couldn’t find a partner. And it sucks. By taking them out I can still have a beautiful day in the outdoors, teach proper safety techniques (keeping the climbing community safe) and allow someone else to enjoy the sport I love.
KCPW - I volunteer often during the KCPW pledge drives. KCPW is Salt Lake’s independent national public radio station (that barely escaped from being turned into a Christin station. Thank you again KCPW board members). I really love the programming, the KCPW crew and the point that they brought the BBC to its own frequency so that listeners could have BBC news 24/7. This volunteer opportunity is only on a semi-annual basis.
Ten Thousand Villages - I used to volunteer weekly with Ten Thousand Villages but have now put this on the back burner. I still really like the organization, but didn’t feel completely needed when I was there. I felt as if I didn’t show, the job would still get done… so why not spend my time elsewhere?
I have also looked into working with the Literacy Center of Utah, but have not started on with them as I just think the time commitment is too much for me to take on right now. I have also looked into NAMI (the National Alliance of Mental Illness). I was so jazzed when I found NAMI because I feel like mental illness is a prevalent disease that many people do not understand and I was hoping I could help with social awareness. I was so psyched for their cause I offered a year of my time, but they just didn’t know what to do with me. Thought their cause is good, at the time that I talked with them they seemed to still figure out how to operate, so I stepped away.
I would love to hear where you readers affiliate your volunteer time and why. I am looking for something that I love as much as platelet donation. Some form of service that is really needed and appreciated.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Man you you are awesome! I look up to your example of charity!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I have searched for a while for some meaningful volunteer experience, particularly international volunteer experience, mainly because I would love to travel, learn more about other cultures and help those who don’t even get the luxury of basic life needs. I barely learned of one last month and this week I am going to Honduras for ten days with my husband to assist dentists and oral surgeons in giving dental service to those in nearby villages who would not normally receive it. I am also going to help at a hearing clinic, and I’ll assist in getting humanitarian supplies to newborns. Rachel, I’ll have to email you and send you pictures when I get back. Search the Internet, search local organizations, ask your friends…. there are some AMAZING opportunities out there!