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April 15, 2021

The Gift of Giving

10 Comments/ 113/ 1

People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44 percent lower likelihood of dying—and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week.

What We Get When We Give by Christine Carter

If this doesn’t encourage you to volunteer someplace I don’t know what will. Sociologist Christine Canter shares this quote and it pulled me in.

I am a volunteer. I have been all of my life. I have had the luxury the past 15 plus years to not be in the work force. I do not take that lightly – it is privilege and one I have had off and on during my adult life. I have no problem with working a job but I was never the full blown career minded woman and I am okay with that. Everyone has to find their passion and their balance and while mine was raising my family and supporting my husband it also allowed me the time to volunteer for many causes that I believe in.

Today is an exciting day in my little world of volunteering. The Ladies Luncheon Committee that I am a part of here in Connestee Falls is sponsoring a Drive Thru Graduation Fundraiser. Davidson River School in Transylvania County is referred to as The School of Opportunities. It is the high school for those students who do not thrive in the traditional school setting for whatever reason. I love that this school is here and that it is doing such a great job with its students.

When the group found out that a huge percentage of the graduating students could not afford the $25 cap and gown cost a plan was put into action. As one member stated “it’s a no brainer”. Along with their cap and gowns the students also get yard signs that indicate they are 2021 graduates. I applaud this group for seeing a need and jumping in to help provide funding and I am hopeful that at the end of the day today we will have over the amount needed for this project.

The other thing that is exciting about today is that our little Connestee Falls Library is opening up again for our residents and staff. Covid – 19 has shut it down for the past 13 months and I am itching to get back in there to shelve books and tidy up. I know our residents have missed it and it is going to be great to be back in there doing what all the valued volunteers do.

So while both of these projects are fun for me I am hopeful that they are helping my health as well. I am not sure about the research behind the quote at the top of my post but I would like to think that giving to others with our gifts of service and time can only be a healthy thing.

Tell me – what is your favorite volunteer activity if you have one? Remember to Comment for a Cause for Ohio Guidestone.

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Davidson River School giving North Carolina the joy of volunteering Transylvania County volunteering
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10 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Susi
    April 15, 2021 at 07:50 am

    It always makes me feel great when I can help others in any small way. It doesn’t take a lot and most people will appreciate even a small thing so I can definitely see why volunteering could be good for you and your heart. 💗

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 21, 2021 at 09:45 am

      I agree. Volunteering does not have to be big or showy –just small gestures every day can turn the tide immensely.

      Reply
  2. dawnkinster
    April 15, 2021 at 08:10 am

    Both your volunteer activities sound like fun. I used to volunteer with elderly, and I manned a crisis line regularly too. But I haven’t done much volunteering since I’ve been involved with Truck Safety. That seems to consume my days lately.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 21, 2021 at 09:44 am

      I think your truck safety commitment is the most important job you could have and even if you don’t view it as a volunteer thing it is so very helpful and meaningful. Thank you for doing what you do to ensure truck safety.

      Reply
  3. Darlene
    April 15, 2021 at 08:36 am

    I have had a lot of fun volunteering over the years. The funny thing is, I volunteered more when I was working than I do now that I´m retired. Go figure. My favourite volunteer job was helping new inmigrantes settle into Canadian life. I met the most amazing people and it was good for my soul to see them appreciate things those of us born in North America take for granted. The day job I had at the time was very stressful, and volunteering calmed me down. I truly believe volunteering is good for your health as Christine Carter states.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 21, 2021 at 09:43 am

      I love that volunteer job of welcoming immigrants! Such an important thing to be an ambassador and help them integrate.

      Reply
  4. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    April 15, 2021 at 11:28 am

    What great causes, to support those young people. And also to shelve books and tidy up. I’m envious that your library is reopening. At least I can go to the Northfield library, 12 miles away, for books.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 21, 2021 at 09:42 am

      I love our little library. It really has been missed during the pandemic and even though the clubhouse is not fully open they have allowed us to have the library back in business which makes my little heart happy. Our county library in Brevard has been open for quite awhile and people have flocked to it — such an oasis in a difficult time.

      Reply
  5. Shirley Matthews Dunn
    April 15, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    What a grand school to have in your area. I wish more states and areas had these schools. To help them out would be a blessing all around. I am glad to say our library opened back up last month but still have some restrictions.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 21, 2021 at 09:38 am

      It really is a great place to have and one that I think does not get enough attention. So happy to have been part of a small effort to help them out a bit.

      Reply

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