Why I Volunteer
by John Nevitt
In honor of the upcoming National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, I’d like to share some thoughts about why I volunteer, and how volunteering makes a difference for me.
I am sure we can all think of someone who has made a tremendous impact on our lives – perhaps it was a teacher, our parents, a close friend, a co-worker, or our lifetime companion. Whoever that person is, they undoubtedly took the time to get to know us, and shared something of value – their time, encouragement, knowledge, insight, skills, sense of humor, values – in short, the essence of who they are.
Volunteerism brings people together in ways that may not otherwise happen in a way that can benefit everyone involved. For example, I have always enjoyed spending time with senior citizens, and I trace this back to the time I spent with my grandparents. As a result, one job I had was as a social worker in a nursing home.
In order to keep in touch with seniors now, I volunteer through my church at a retirement home and I deliver meals to elderly people who are home bound. This helps me stay in contact with folks who I view as wise, and who often have incredible attitudes, despite difficult circumstances. I almost always feel empowered after spending time with seniors – sometimes because I am more aware and truly thankful for my good health, and other times because I feel privileged to have spent some time with others who have so much perspective on life.
I’ll never forget one nursing home resident, Ralph, who was confined to bed because something went wrong during an operation. He spent a considerable amount of time in a coma, and then was confronted with paralysis.
Ralph had so much he could have been resentful about, but somehow he maintained a remarkably positive attitude. When I visited him, it seemed that his only concern was about how I was doing, what was going on in my life, and how he could support me. I remember how much he helped me when I was dealing with a personal loss, and how grateful I was to him for his kindness.
My visits gave Ralph the opportunity to be of service to me, and I was much richer as a result.
Someone once told me that being of service to others is the highest distinction for human beings. I would say that a few historical figures whom I admire all fit that bill – Ghandi, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Mother Theresa. Ralph will always stick in my mind for the same reason, and he is a powerful reminder of why I volunteer – to have the privilege of being of service, and to gain so much in return.