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Share The Love
By
Joan E. Thompson |
Valentine’s Day is
just around the corner. With it comes the opportunity to
express your love in lots of new, fun ways. Since expressing
yourself is a key ingredient to volunteering, why not put
the two together?
Traditional expressions go to those we love; family, friends
and significant others. Consider doing a lovely act for
someone who would not be expecting one from you. When you
send a Valentine’s card or gift to a grandchild, include a
second, blank one for the child to pass along to someone
who’s helped them.
Do you love gardening? Do you keep an indoor greenhouse? Why
not take a plant – flowering or not - to a neighbor, or the
office of a doctor you’ll be seeing sometime this month.
How about leaving one on the desk of someone who has been
especially kind and courteous to you as a customer during
the year? Surprise your insurance agent, a librarian, or
even the attendant at a parking garage with your unexpected
token of appreciation.
Expressing thanks is a form of love all too often reserved
for those special days like Thanksgiving.
Showing their love and concern is what volunteers do every
time they perform their service. They may share their time
once a week, once a month, or three times a day – in casual
or formal acts of helpfulness.
Why not load your pocket or pocketbook with a dozen Hershey
Kisses or Life Savers candies. When anyone expresses
kindness to you this month, thank them with a “kiss” – or
with a “Life Saver” in turn for their being one. They’ve
just voluntarily helped you out – and you love them for it.
Happy Valentine's Day! |
About The Author
Joan Thompson is the Executive Director for Mayflower RSVP,
Inc., a non-profit organization mobilizing Volunteer Service
Activities in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. She has
directed RSVP’s Retired & Senior Volunteer Program for
nearly 30 years, working with 200 public/private, health,
human service, and educational organizations to provide
meaningful volunteer service opportunities for members in
the RSVP program. She is a trainer in Volunteer Systems
Management for local and national organizations and a member
of AVA, the International Association for Volunteer
Administration. She may be contacted at RSVP’s Plymouth
County headquarters, (508) 746-7787 or MayflowerRSVP@Verizon.net.
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