How to serve your community
A plethora of possibilities offers opportunities galore!
By Gabryelle Breski
Knightly News Reporter
gabryelle.breski@mymail.centralpenn.edu
One of the biggest issues for many people is simply that they want to help, but do not know where to start.
Well, I’ll try to help, with this article on how I learned to serve a community.
When beginning to give back, start by opening doors for others or walking with a smile.
Serving your community is assisting those around you. Volunteering is serving your community, but at its core it is helping others. Helping our neighbors, for instance, looks different each day. If a neighbor needs help mowing a lawn, help. If the local park has a cleanup day, take the day to pitch in. This helps the community through the particular task at hand, and it helps to spread kindness, which is always worth doing.
According to the U.S, Department of Labor and Industry, people who volunteer have “lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life.”
Volunteer projects are put together and created for different areas. If a person has an idea for a location in need, the details can be posted on social media, such as in a Facebook group – like for volunteering or that is dedicated to a specific community.
Where to start?
Some people feel overwhelmed when it comes to volunteering. Many questions come to mind, such as where to start.
The first check mark to complete is to find specific interests. Some people have different purposes they wish to serve and groups they wish to help.
Another thought to keep in mind is that volunteering doesn’t have to be a big project. Some opportunities are as simple as standing at a table, collecting donations or selling a product for a fundraiser.
The smaller projects matter to a place looking for help.
How to select the place and purpose
This is often a difficult question to answer for people looking to help. Where do I go? they wonder.
The best suggestion is to ask in person locally or to search online for local volunteer opportunities. Organizations, particularly nonprofits, post opportunities for volunteers. Many nonprofit organizations need volunteers to continue serving the community for continuous progress to be made.
Some people begin at a local park, where community members hold cleanup days to pick up trash and carry it out for disposal, make any repairs authorized by municipal authorities or other owners of the park, resolve issues with sports fields, or build a pavilion or dugout.
While considering where to volunteer, people can also form a reason for helping. For example, if someone played Little League, he or she might enjoy helping rebuild a dugout. Adults who have played at the local parks look to create a safe place for future generations.
Find your why
For many aspects of life, people talk about finding a why: Why do you want to do what you are doing or why do you want to make a difference?
Some people look to solve a problem they see in their community or a cause they learn about while driving down the road.
The reason behind helping others can push someone to continue helping others and looking out for neighbors.
After all: If we see an issue and we do nothing about it, then we are a part of the problem.
Join different groups
Organizations provide volunteer opportunities on websites and in flyers.
Churches and schools also have sign-ups to help at various locations.
Don’t forget to check with your local library or community center.
If you are looking for options to volunteer, you can look here.
Comment of story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu.
Breski is president of The Knightly News Club @ Central Penn College. She likes to volunteer in her community.
Edited by media-club co-adviser and blog editor Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
