Do You Do Acts of Charity?

**forHISglory** · 04-22-2008, 11:08 PM

Today I had lunch with a friend who is also a recently retired teacher. She mentioned how she is now visiting nursing homes to see the elderly and also taking communion to those who wish it. She said that when working she just did not have the time to do this, but in her heart she wanted to do it.

My story was similar. Taking care of my family and doing my job well did not leave much time for volunteer work or charity work. Now that I am retired, I take a meal each week to a family that is in a medical crisis, and I watch an elderly lady with alzheimers for a few hours each week. I also participate in fund raisers for families in crisis, such as families with illnesses, families who lost their homes, etc. I began working with children at church in a program called Awana; I am the storyteller and just love being with them.

Now, I'm not listing all this, looking for a pat on the back. Rather, I was musing about how I should have reached out to those in need before this year. (to be fair to myself, I did do some acts of charity, but not on a regular basis before I retired).

How about you?

If you have a job outside the home, does it keep you from doing volunteer work or acts of charity? Or at least keep you from doing as much as you would like? What acts of charity would you like to be involved in? For those of you who do volunteer work, what kinds of work or projects are you involved with? Do you ever feel that you short change your own family when you do this? How do you balance all these?

I find much joy in being able to serve others in these small ways. I wish I could have done more in the past, but I really felt that caring for my family had to be my first priority.

**nuisance26** · 04-23-2008, 08:09 AM

~I've spent most of my life on the 'work crew' of churches. I learned how to work hard but not how to make and keep friends. I finally got a clue when my kids were born because the time I had to spare wasn't enough to commit to church. I gave it up and I've been alot happier concentrating on my kids. I do volunteer occassionally with a conservation group for clean-up projects. I think alot of people haven't learned how to say no when asked to volunteer their time. That's not a problem for me. I know you weren't looking for a pat on the back but you've really spent your whole life and career in service. I wouldn't feel guilty about what you could have done. Now you can go where your heart leads you and enjoy giving!~

**McD** · 04-23-2008, 08:32 AM

I volunteer with Make A WIsh. I'm a wish granter. I help with events and I also interview the wish children and help them determine what they would like their wis to be.

**Jayne** · 04-23-2008, 09:17 AM

I do Angel Food ministries at our church...I take people's orders and go to the drop off site to pick up the food for distribution...

**vigilant20** · 04-23-2008, 09:22 AM

I keep an eye out for one time events to volunteer at. I'm lucky that my work has a volunteer organization to help me find opportunities. That way I get to do a little bit of everything, and I'm not adding more obligations to my regular schedule.

**StartingOver** · 04-23-2008, 01:20 PM

I believe there is nothing better for the heart than serving!

I work 40 hrs a week out of the home and volunteer at our church for Sunday School, Wednesday night program and whatever else is needed. I also help with my dd8 brownie troop and am also a room parent for her class.

My kids are old enough that I include them in a lot of volunteering activities. They enjoy it, and it is something we do together.

I do ocassionally say no, but if it's something that my kids and I can together then I'm all for it! What a great way for kids to learning about serving others and to learn that the world is not all about "Me, Me and Me."

**sunshine** · 04-24-2008, 10:43 AM

Here's a small portion of what we do:

- sew, knit, crochet items for Pine Ridge reservation, the local homeless shelter, and Balboa's babies. I do most of the knitting and crocheting on my breaks at work, or while waiting at various kid functions.

- we dedicate a portion of each garden type plant to donate - either to the local food pantry, or sometimes I just bag it up and hand to the senior citizens at the local housing.

- meals for families at church when in crisis

Most of these are done with the kids. They help us garden, harvest and deliver the produce. They help prepare meals and deliver them for families in need. They help box and mail the items I make for Pine Ridge and Balboa's babies -- they help deliver to the local homeless shelter.

**mombottoo** · 04-24-2008, 10:55 AM

I literally volunteered my life away for more than 20 years. Now, I don't do so much in the way of volunteering, but I do donate.

**shoiji** · 04-27-2008, 11:38 AM

I have been helping out at a food pantry working a couple days a week in the pantry and administratively. The people at the pantry are great and fun to work with. Sometimes it can be difficult but it truly feels great to be able to give back.

**Holly** · 04-27-2008, 05:29 PM

We do what we can.
some I will never help again ( American Cancer Society,
United Way for 2 examples )
We do now for the families themselves instead of societies).

**AmyMCGS** · 04-28-2008, 10:14 AM

A great way to volunteer from home in just a few minutes a week is to join my favorite organization: ChemoAngels. (www.chemoangels.net) They will match you up with someone going through cancer treatments, and you adopt them by way of weekly snail mail-- either small gifts (regular angel) or cards (card angel). They also have a sister program, Senior Angels, that adopts homebound elderly.

**annymoll** · 04-28-2008, 10:36 AM

Since I am home I am the one called to help take our elderly neighbors to grocery and doctor appointments, to assist with lawn care, to help in the community garden, to run errands, to do a few go- for chores. But I don't really see it as charity. We have so much fun together, and I get produce, quilts, canned goods and lots of conversation. We all seem to benefit.

**freyadog** · 04-28-2008, 10:41 AM

yesterday coming out of the grocery store a man stopped us and told us his story. his wife 4 months pregnant and him a vet with one real leg had come over from Norfolk to a short job. his car broke down and had had to be fixed. they were on fumes in their gas tank and were hungary.

dh and I took them to the service station and filled their car up with gas and gave them 15$ to get them something to eat on their journey home.

**IntlMom** · 04-28-2008, 11:04 AM

I help at the homeless shelter quarterly (our churchs' rotation)
I help with the kids at church
I've spent time helping friends in need (the last few few weeks, I've been doing some serious cleaning at a friends house who is 7 months prego and trying to get their house ready for sale...I think I was there 30 hours last week)
I frequently make meals for those in need at our church

**MACMOM6** · 04-28-2008, 08:20 PM

We recently joined a new church and they are very big on giving back to the community. I LOVE IT!!! Last weekend my dh and son and his friend spent a few hours cleaning up a lawn for an older lady. They had fun and the lady was so happy

I help with meals for people who are sick or recently had a baby..

I volunteer at a clothing bank for our school.

I want to do more, that is one of my main focuses right now in life. Help others..

Good Job to all of you