Why I Volunteer
In a world where prizes, inflation, and cost of living rise faster than warp speed while available monetary resources seem to be stagnant or shrinking, people may really ask themselves, “Why should I volunteer? I don’t earn enough the way it is, I should find another paid job in the meantime.” And then you see others, graciously giving their time, effort, and often money to charitable organizations, even though they live far from fame and fortune. Times are past where it was chic to engage in a charity organization as a spoiled housewife with servants at home and a rich husband. Charity organizations still need the donations of the big spenders, but more than that they need people who are willing to do the footwork, which doesn’t go so well in a Chanel costume and high heels. The fact is that a charity organization is worthless if it has just money and nobody to work, or the opposite of having only workers and no money. It needs both to succeed and make a difference in a community.
Initiated by an individual or a group with a bright idea on how to make our world a little bit better, the word is quickly spread, but then it needs the people to get an idea into action. Whenever you ask yourself, “Why doesn’t anybody do something about this?” please remember that you and me…we are “anybody.” We are needed to bring a great idea into practice.
According to the smart big book on my virtual shelf (my dictionary) volunteering is: “generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life.” If I look back to my old addiction time, I was generally not altruistic in my activities and usually my intentions didn’t promote goodness or improved any human’s quality of life. I was taking from the community and not giving anything. It is time to give back something of what I received.
Also my big, bound friend on the shelf points out that “in return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect. There is no financial gain involved for the individual. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, socialization, and fun. Volunteering may have positive benefits for the volunteer as well as for the person or community served. It is also intended to make contacts for possible employment. It is helping, assisting, or serving another person or persons without pay.”
Ok, here we go! Volunteering is not totally selfless, as you might have thought. I might get something out of it, maybe even my dream job. But even if that doesn’t work right away, a bit of self-worth and respect is great for somebody in recovery. If I can’t spend my time at my dream job and get paid for it, why not do something good for my community and get a bunch of fun out of it? Something I can get out of it for myself is learning how to socialize again, a trait that might be a little underdeveloped with most of us in early recovery. Also, which is not mentioned in this passage, but I can’t believe how many doors my volunteering opened for me and how many interesting people I met. Maybe giving dogs in a no-kill shelter a walk isn’t the most networking position available, but you can decide which direction you want to go.
I volunteered at prison ministries, 12-step groups and events, community drug education events, school events, political campaigns (which is one of the most interesting ones, if you do it right), fundraiser banquets (lots of work in a short time period, but really fun), drug awareness committees, and drug coalitions. I went Christmas Caroling in elderly homes (I can’t even sing, but I can smile and shake hands). Each hour I put in made life for some people, including myself, a little better. It gives a wonderful feeling of instant gratification and accomplishment. I lived 10 years in a third world country and could share a little of my fortune with other people who were not as lucky to be born where I was.
Choose your volunteer job wisely. I, for example, won’t work at an animal shelter because my love of animals would make me quickly end up as a crazy cat lady. But since I have no desire to adopt a politician, I’m pretty good in my job there. I’m interested in politics, but my German nationality prevents me from voting in the USA. With the volunteer work in campaigning, I can give my support in a different way to a person I want to succeed. He can’t get one vote from me, but I can get him hundreds with my work.
And yes, I do not earn money for my volunteer jobs, but I usually don’t spend any money either, besides maybe a little on gas. I have something worthwhile to do with my time, I feel good about myself, and I’m somebody who does make a difference. Sometimes, it doesn’t take much. You can even start small and offer to volunteer mowing the yard of your elderly neighbor. I promise it won’t kill you, but it will make both of you feel great and can be the beginning of a new friendship; another way to break the stigma of addiction. Start a conversation with somebody while volunteering, if you don’t mind, and give a lasting good impression about people in recovery from the disease of substance use disorders or mental health issues. Do the footwork, somebody has to do it and you and I are somebody.
Let us share about possible positions in volunteer work. Just mention with a couple words in “Join the conversation”, which work you have done so far as a volunteer. If you like to share some negative or positive view points about it from your experience, that is fine as well. So, what did you do? Give us ideas!
We do recover and we can give back!
Susanne Johnson