Do you have what it takes to be a volunteer?
On our recent trip to Moab, we drove through the town Helper and my husband told us the story of how Helper City got its name.
Helper is a small town 120 miles from Salt Lake City in Carbon County. It is situated 7 miles north of Price. outside of Price, Utah. In 1881, Helper was founded as a result of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railway. It was a freight terminal where “helper” locomotives would stand in readiness to aid trains traveling up the steep grade to Solider Summit, hence the name Helper.
MODERN HELPERS
Our modern day volunteers are the helper cars that make the world go round. Don’t you think? Especially at this time of year, as we turn our hearts and minds this to giving and serving, I’d like to recognize the “helpers’ all around the world.
All too often volunteering and service is glorified and glamorized.
The truth is that it’s filled with hard work and takes a lot of love and dedication.
While visiting The Marine Mammal Center, I had meet with their volunteer staff. I was humbled to learn the process the volunteers go through in order to help there. Often times they are waking up at 4:00 AM for early shifts that start at 5:00 AM. It’s not glamourous, it’s a lot of scrubbing and cleaning and caring for the animals.
Here are some videos about the volunteers at The Marine Mammal Center (youtube and youtube).
Giving and Service isn’t a one day a year commitment
Like the Helper locomotive, we can all give and serve each other, but it takes more than a once a year service day or project.
How to find local volunteer opportunities
1. Find your passion
It’s much easier to give and serve when you are doing what you love. Try asking yourself the following questions:
– What are you passionate about doing?
– Do you enjoy cooking food? Maybe serving at the soup kitchen may be an idea.
– Do you enjoy helping animals. The local animal shelter or helping at a vet’s office may be a good fit.
2. Contact your local shelters or hospital
Local shelters and hospitals often have information listed online. Try seeing what they are in need of.
3. Connect with church groups or YMCA/YWCA
Your local church group or youth group may be a great place to help children in need. In Utah we have a lot of refugees that are in need of basic things like socks, underwear and diapers.
4. Serve with a friend
Teaming up with a friend is a great way to serve together. Get a group together and tie blankets for babies at the children’s hospital or make humanitarian kits.
Kathy Dalton
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