Volunteering Time = Unbelievably Rewarding

It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life...that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

This past weekend, I volunteered with Panera Bread (my client) and United Way for Southeastern Michigan's joint partnership program -- Impact Your Neighborhood. It was a wonderful experience for me and the quote above truly embodies what I felt like upon leaving the volunteer site.

Although it was only a few hours of time, it was so rewarding. A group of 20 of us (pictured) worked at Vista Maria, a nonprofit child welfare agency for girls and their families, based in Dearborn. The organization works with young women, approx. ages 11-18, to help them overcome past hardships and recover from histories of abuse, neglect and other traumas. These girls have been through so much that I cannot even begin to imagine...the least I could do was pull some weeds on their lawn and play games with them!
(Fun historical fact: The organization started to take shape in the 1930s when a group of Detroit nuns bought the land belonging to the Ford family for just $1!)

Volunteering always brings clarity to my life, hence why I jump at any opportunity I can make time for. I was reminded of why I do this while working with all of the amazing people that showed up...One guy explained to me that he was an exchange student from Taiwan and volunteering helped him practice his English with patient people...I laughed and then he continued to explain how so many Americans have taken the time to help him -- volunteering just a few hours of his time was the least he could do to give back to America. Hearing him saying that almost brought me to tears...in a world that feels so corrupt and jaded at times, it was refreshing to be surrounded by so many genuinely civil-minded individuals. It also was pretty cool to realize these folks were definitely not just there for the free food...volunteering was just simply something each of the people found necessary to do.

My experience just proved to me once again that sometimes it really is the small things we do -- or the few hours of time we dedicate to others that can make us feel like a million bucks.

Volunteer Opp: Team Up with United Way and Panera Bread of SE Michigan

Here's a great volunteer opportunity that's going to be taking place around the metro Detroit area. It's with United Way of Southeast Michigan and Panera Bread and is called "Impact Your Neighborhood." The program is series of various volunteer events and are just a one-day (just in the morning) commitments.

I'm super excited about this program because not only is a great way to help out, but it's a perfect opportunity for us people out there that don't have a whole lot of extra volunteer time to devote to a single organization.

Here's the line-up of events through December:

Saturday, September 8, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Vista Maria, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk girls (ages 11-17) based in Dearborn Heights. Volunteers will meet at the Dearborn Heights Panera location.

Saturday, October 27, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Lighthouse PATH in Pontiac. This organization helps out homeless mothers and children. Volunteers will volunteers will participate in a Halloween craft activity with the organization’s women and their children and will meet at the Bloomfield Hills Panera locations.

Saturday, November 10, 10 a.m. – Noon @ First Step, a domestic violence shelter based in Plymouth. Volunteers will assist with an outdoor and indoor beautification project and will meet at the Plymouth Panera location.

Saturday, December 8, 9 a.m. – Noon @ Gleaners in Taylor. The volunteer activity will be to sort and pack donated food items for delivery to homeless shelters and other area non-profit organizations -- perfect for the holidays! Volunteers will meet at the Southgate Panera.

To sign-up to volunteer, visit the United Way website at www.uwsem.org/panera/ or call (313) 226-9200.

All you people, let me know if you can make any of these events, I'd be happy to go with you!