Resolve to Volunteer

So it’s time to make your resolution. You’ve been thinking about starting a new exercise program the minute the sun comes up on January 1. Stopping smoking is a noble goal. You might want to get organized by throwing things out or cut back on your spending.

But what if you add something to your life instead of taking something away? It’s easier to have a goal that is adding something instead of taking it away. Wouldn’t you rather eat more fruits and veggies than stop eating junk food? You’ll accomplish the same thing. You will still reach the goal of being healthier.

Why not add volunteering to your list of resolutions?

Three reasons to volunteer:

1.It’s good for you heart. Studies show that volunteering can help lower blood pressure, and help prevent heart disease.

2.It’s good for you head. Volunteering creates social bonds and support that can lower rates of depression by giving the volunteer a sense of purpose.

3.It’s good for you waistline. Studies show that volunteers have more weight control. You can also do volunteer opportunities that help you exercise, like building houses for Habitat for Humanity, planting trees or playing in the park with you “little” brother or sister.

Tips on how to make volunteering your resolution:

1.Plan your volunteer opportunities. Look at www.vcstory.org and your calendar and come up a plan. Think of things you’d like to do all year, not just in January. Don’t wait to sign up for some of the opportunities. They can go fast!

2. Volunteer with a group or family. Children can learn a lot from watching their parents volunteer. It also creates family memories and holds you accountable.

3. Make volunteering a priority. Just like work and family obligations, volunteering can become a habit you enjoy.

4. Connect volunteering to another goal. Resolving to meet new people? Take a part in the Volunteer Center’s new group, Do Good Mixers. This group is open to anyone 21 and over. Members volunteer with a group on a one time project, then socialize afterwards. It’s a great way to get to know your community and meet like minded people.

Resolving to get involved with your community? Join one a board of a local organization.

Want to get into shape? Do a walk or run for charity. Be a mentor. Take your mentee out to play catch or go to the park. Help clean up Iowa State with Keep Iowa State Beautiful.
Plant trees at Threshold Learning Center or plant at Reiman Gardens.

So what are you still sitting on the couch for? Help out someone in need, and help yourself live well. Sign up for a volunteer opportunity at www.vcstory.org.

Trish

Do Good Mixer update

I am amazed how much can be accomplished with only a few dedicated people. Jennifer Garret from Iowa State and Cory Kleinheksel a student at Iowa State helped me come up with some amazing ideas for our new group, Do Good Mixer.

Some of the ideas for projects include:
Serving meals at Food at First
Participating in Stash the Trash on March 27
Help distribute food at Share
Participating in Keep Iowa State Beautiful
Helping at Iowa Games and Special Olympics
Doing clean up for the Story County Conservation
Shoveling snow and doing lawn work for elderly and disabled

Some of the ideas for socializing afterwards include:
Cooking out or having a picnic
Going bowling
Going for coffee
$1 movies at North Grand Mall
Exploring restaurants outside of Ames
Doing a restaurant tour
Pizza and game night

We decided our first event is going to be a family friendly one since many people have MLK day off. We are going to join the Volunteer Center of Story County and the service learning group AmeZone in helping to plan and decorate the new Homeless garden the group is creating. The event will be held at 130 S. Sheldon in the auditorium from 12-3pm Jan 18, 2010. More details to come as plans begin to firm up.

Please send your suggestions on ideas for after volunteer options.

Thanks!

Help Those Around You

While I was sitting in my house during a snow storm yesterday, I saw the TV scrawl that Meals On Wheels in some communities were being canceled due to the weather. It made my heart ache to think while I was warm in my house with plenty, there were people in my community and the ones surrounding that weren’t going to get a meal that day. I don’t blame Meals On Wheels. They have to look out for their drivers and the roads were impassable. But this is the time to reflect on what community and volunteering mean to us.

Volunteering is not just going to the food bank one time a year and helping strangers. Volunteering is looking out for your elderly neighbors to make sure they’re doing OK during a storm. It’s snow blowing the driveway of a single mother who doesn’t own a snow blower. It’s holding the door open for someone in a wheelchair or one crutches. It’s about the small things you do everyday for those around you. So volunteer with an organization, but also look at ways you can help the people around you on a daily basis. It will make your heart feel good.

Trish