Stories

Close your eyes and think about this: what does a volunteer do? Answer phones? Serve meals? Build a house?

You're right. Volunteering your time can involve all of those things. But it can also be a completely different experience. In fact, there's really no end to the variety of volunteer roles available in our community. 

What can your next volunteer adventure be? Here are a few ideas to get you started.  

• Volunteering can be direct. Work with teens as a Program Specialist for I AM not the MEdia or volunteer with Hands N Feet to deliver boxes of gloves and socks to agencies serving the homeless. Serve as a Custody Advocate for the Council for Children's Rights.
• Volunteering can use your skills. Legal Services of Southern Piedmont can use the pro bono services of attorneys. Grant writers are needed at Eagle Rock Camp, and  almost any non-profit would love to make use of the skills of a graphic artist, videographer or web developer. 
• Volunteering can use your leadership. Youth Development Initiatives is expanding its Board of Directors. Training to be a volunteer leader in Carolina Thread Trail's Trail Master Program is coming up soon. Board and committee positions are open at To Serve With Love Ministries. 

 If you're still not sure where to start, think about why you volunteer. Is it for that amazing high you get from helping others? To polish professional skills? Because you love meeting new people? Or, is your sense of purpose connected to your faith? Those are all great reasons. Just find yours. Let your reasons - and your passions - be your guide as you look for your next adventure in volunteering. WHAT'S YOUR REASON?While we're talking about reasons for volunteering - want to share yours?

We're talking about why we volunteer on Twitter and Facebook. There are some pretty cool stories out there so far. We would love to hear yours! Join the conversation using hashtag #whatsyourreason.