Along with duties to job and family, many people chose to share their time with others by volunteering. St. Anne’s Guest Home is one place that can definitely benefit from this generosity. Many of our volunteers are getting older and are no longer able to help us as they once did. On the other hand, we are blessed at times with university students and other young people who come to help us out.
Not only do volunteers help the place they serve, they also gain personal benefits. Volunteerweb.org lists several:
Volunteering is a way that you can cultivate new skills, or enhance old ones. Are you a musician? Coming to entertain at St. Anne’s is a way you could get in better practice. Are you gifted socially? Coming to visit one-on-one with residents is a way you can tap into this gift. This site also mentions volunteering as a way of being part of your community. It also can give a real sense of achievement and motivation. Volunteering is also a way of gaining new experiences. It broadens your horizons, exposing you to all kinds of people.
It also is a good résumé builder. It is said that “73% of employers would recruit a candidate with volunteering experience over one without.”
Volunteering, according to idealist.org, can be a means of personal growth as well as of having an impact. Think of what a difference you can make in someone’s life by your presence and caring. An article by United Way also encourages volunteering as a source of friendships, growth, and learning.
One particular group of volunteers here at St. Anne’s is sometimes referred to as our ‘auxiliary.’ This group, which supports our activity department by helping with fundraisers, such as our upcoming fall sale and luncheon, is actually having its fall meeting on Thursday, October 8. If you’d be interested in finding out more or would like to attend the meeting, please call Shelly at 701-746-9401 or email us.
Thanks, Sr Christina. A nice reminder that in giving to others we also receive. I find that whenever I enter St. Anne’s, I am greeted cheerfully by the receptionist and whichever resident is nearby. That reminds me that I am not only loved by God but also by His children. A smile and kind word are contagious. Is there anything better to spread?
Celebrating the International Day of Peace: This is a good reminder that we do not live alone in this world. Many parents don’t realize how important it is to start children volunteering at a young age. This can be done in ways that are appropriate: making a greeting card or painting a picture and bringing it to a resident in a senior or assisted living home, is just one way. Many of these residents have family that live too far away to visit or all of their family might have already passed away.
Please, parents, take your children to church with you or to Adoration but, also get them started with some little volunteer project – you will see them bloom!