Tracy Hedegard, social services director at the Salvation Army, looks over backpacks packed with school supplies for students in need. (KRISTIN BUEHNER/The Globe Gazette)

Well I am trying to venture out into the world of volunteering again……I know,I know! It took me long enough! Since we have moved back from Australia I have been concentrating on getting things done here in the house in preparation for selling it, settling family members, visiting family, going here and there with Chris, etc. but it is time. It is long past time! I need to jump back in again and I am ready! So yesterday my first experience was helping at the Salvation Army (Salvo to you Aussies!) and it was a fun morning. We were getting school bags assembled to pass out to kids who may not be able to buy them for the upcoming school year. We ended up putting 550 backpacks together for different age groups. The social services director (pictured above from the Globe Gazette article) did a great job of getting it all organized and set up and the whole process went very smoothly. I was impressed!

So what did I do?? Well I started out as “scissor woman”, moved on to be “eraser babe” and then finally spent the majority of my time as “backpack mover down the liner” gal!!! It was a good time and by the end of about 3 hours and lots of volunteer involvement we had the job pretty much done. Today they will be handing out the backpacks filled with goodies and they will go to lots and lots of area children who will be able to start the school year out with some great school supplies that were donated by community members. Hats off to Tracy and the Salvation Army for a great thing that they are doing.

So I continue to look for some volunteer experiences. I really wanted to finally get trained for Hospice but due to some recent reorganization they won’t be doing a training class until the spring. I was pretty bummed about that because you can’t even help out in the office now without the training. So my search continues…you all can keep that in your prayers that I find the right place that wants me. So far I haven’t gotten an overwhelming response to my willingness to help out but maybe I have not hit upon the right place yet!!!

Helping others is such a big part of my life and I like to do more than just giving a check. I think my parents instilled that in me early on that you need to give of yourself as much as you can. Of course at several points in my life I have gotten burned out but I am finally ready to re engage!!! It seems right with Chris being gone so much that I find someplace that can use an extra set of hands. Well enough of my ramblings today about the virtues of volunteering—I am preaching the choir here!