Heart Mob

3 Lessons From A Volunteer

I did something that I normally would’ve not done. I answered a Craigslist ad for a volunteer.

How It Happened

I realized that I had some free time in the late afternoon, and wanted to see if there would be any quick-hit or micro-volunteer opportunities. Someone mentioned that Craigslist might be a good resource for that type of stuff, so that’s the first place I checked.
I read through many potential opportunities, but an opportunity to read to an elderly disabled verteren (Art) struck a chord with me. His daughter (Sherri) put up the ad, and also a link to her father’s story. You can find out more about Art at Sherri’s blog: https://sites.google.com/site/wordswithgrace/family/dad-s-bio
I exchanged emails in quick succession with Sherri, and made plans to meet that afternoon. Quick and easy process.

Meet & Greet

When I first met Art, I was amazed how quickly we just got talking. Before the encounter, I was worried that we’ll have nothing to really talk about, but since the opportunity is for reading, I was prepare for all reading, no conversations.
However, my experience was completely different. He immediately began talking about the tomato garden that he has, the work that he’s been putting into it, the different place he has lived, and the types of books that he likes to read.
Within 1 hour, I got a tour of his building and his room, created a tomato plant support stick (I know nothing about gardening, but did some hammering), received hand-on introduction to his tomato plants, and briefly discussed his political views and book preferences.
We agreed that going forward, we’ll meet on Thursday afternoons and chat/read for 1 hour. I’m certainly looking forward to it, and I hope to make a long life friend.

3 Lessons

There are volunteer opportunities all around you/me. We just need to have an open mind and the guts to respond to the need.
Your time is valuable to others. I can use my 1 hour to watch a TV show, surf the web, or read an interesting book with Art. I know most of us would do the latter.
Be prepared for it to change your life. I know that my view on life has tweak for the better because of Art.

~Kenny
Pic below: Art (left), Kenny (middle), Mr. Tomato plant (right); Pic taken by Sherri (Art’s daughter) Art