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Volunteer and help yourself as well as others

Posted on Feb 08, 2010 in Opinion

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Volunteering can do more for the volunteer than the people he or she is helping. As I come from a site that I was volunteering at, I see many different people.

There are people who don’t appreciate the work we do and yell comments like “that trash is going to be there again tomorrow.” There are people who look bothered by volunteering and complain about being there. Then there are people who are happy to help clean up a neighborhood. Lastly, there are people who are grateful we are there and have the kindness enough to say so.

As we come from Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and as Into the Streets approaches, it is more important than ever to volunteer regularly and not save it for those special occasions. I have talked to different people and a lot have given me the same answer. They don’t necessarily see volunteering as an opportunity to genuinely help, but as a wasteful Saturday that they did only to add another extracurricular to their resume.

This is not to criticize any one person or organization because the Haiti earthquake has had many UAB students reaching out and helping them. I applaud those efforts, but when are we going to do more for the people in our own city?

Many have said that they did not want to volunteer at a homeless shelter because homeless people scared them. I could understand why they would think that way.

As being someone who has seen homelessness in her family, I can say that not all of the people that are homeless are nasty people who try to swindle you out of your money. Some people just have had unfortunate luck and nowhere to turn. This is not to say that they are all good people either because some are drug addicts or alcoholics looking for their next fix. If you feel uncomfortable giving money, give your time. There are plenty of opportunities at local homeless shelters.

On the other hand, you could visit a nursing home. It means a lot to elderly people to have young people come around to visit them. By being on the earth as long as they have, they have some interesting stories to share.

There are so many volunteer opportunities that you do not have to wait until UAB hosts a big event. The Leadership and Service Council plans regular volunteering opportunities throughout the week every week.

Being a student, time can be an issue. However, there are other opportunities like Big Brother/Big Sister where a college student can mentor a younger person on their own time.

Helping people can do more than anyone could imagine. Why would you not help your community? After all, that lonely elderly man or woman or that homeless person who could not catch a break could be you one day.
 




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