VOLUNTEERING . . . THAT INNER SATISFACTION

By Millie Reynolds, Home Economist

" It doesn't matter, mom," she said. "It's early in the season."

My daughter had assured me that since it was early in the season, it didn't matter if I left the soccer game at half time to work at the hospital gift shop. And now as I drive away from the game, guilt begins to take over. Shouldn't I be at the soccer game? Why did I say "yes" to that phone call? Why, just why do I volunteer? Why do others volunteer?

You know, I mumble to myself, there have been many, many interesting people that I've met through volunteering. There are many people in the community. . . . what a wide range of interests, abilities and experiences they have! You sure get to know more people than your fellow workers, neighbours and family. Yeh, working with such a variety of people is a great experience! Volunteering brings the community together.

And then, silly me volunteered to be treasurer of my professional group. Adding the columns of income and expenses didn't sound too exciting. But then . . . wait . . . my computer! And that is how I started to use my computer to do bookkeeping. Volunteering brings learning opportunities.

Oh, that's my neighbour in the car ahead of me . . . mmm . . . Tuesday . . . she's probably on her way to the special care home . . . started visiting when her dad was a resident there. When he passed on, she just kept on visiting. One of the residents told her about trapping in northeast Saskatchewan and walking 25 miles for groceries. She told me about it. Volunteering is Interesting.

My daughter's soccer team . . . now that team couldn't exist if it weren't for the people who volunteer their time to organize the soccer team . . . then other people help keep score. There are all the other teams, groups, and clubs that rely on volunteers. Groups couldn't exist if they had to pay all the leaders and helpers . . . anyway, who wants to be paid for score keeping! T-4 forms or whatever they are called . . . can you imagine how silly it would be for all these organizations to send out T-whatever forms? Volunteering is Economical.

Then there's my son's love for singing. We asked him if he wanted singing lessons. Nope, he had said, just the school chorus and the church group. Well, with my talent, I couldn't even sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star . . . but here I am trading off my telephone-calling-ability for the singing-leading-ability of someone else. Volunteering results in community trade-offs!

Yeh, the city got the barriers up . . . that's what spring brings . . . potholes and barriers.

Barriers. That's what school age student parents face. That's why our group felt there was such a need for a day care in the high school . . . helping young people stay in school. Benefits the child, too. Lots of hard work and oodles of time, but there is now a day care for their use . . . and a waiting list. Volunteering helps link people to needed services.

Then there was the time my neighbour and I invited everyone from the block over for lemonade. Oh, how it rained! Had to move into the garage, but we still had fun. Volunteering is fun.

Ah, there's a parking spot waiting for me. Sure hope I sell lots from the gift shop.

. . .

"We played OK ," my daughter greeted me when I got home," but still lost the game. Did you sell much at the gift shop?"

"Some," I replied.

"Great!" was the retort. "Isn't it wonderful that sick people will get some of those nice gifts. That's happiness."

Um hm, I say to myself, as my daughter pointed out: Volunteering creates . . . that inner satisfaction.