Why Volunteer?

Think back to the last time you contributed your time and energy, (and I'm not referring to money) to doing something great for someone or something else. Can you remember the feeling you got being a part of a volunteer effort?

After coordinating a Community Clean Up this past weekend in my neighborhood of over 800 homes, the group of gracious and eager volunteers and I came up with a TOP TEN list of benefits to doing something within your own Community to make it a better place to live. And, I wanted to share this list with you...maybe it will inspire you too. There's got to be at least one benefit in there for everybody. Despite making only a dent, the team work and rewarding feeling at the end of the day gave me an extra bounce in my step.      

 Community Clean Up Top Ten:
10) You get stronger biceps from scrubbing graffiti.
9)   You get stronger abs from sweeping glass and junk.
8)   You get stronger legs from walking up and down the stairs carrying bags of garbage.
7)   You get to drink as much free Starbucks donated coffee.
6)   You get to use somebody else's materials, thanks to Home Depot's donations.
5)   You almost forget you are cleaning up somebody else's mess - almost .
4)   You get to live the childhood dream, getting dirty and playing in the rain.
3)   You get to work with and know your neighbors and your neighborhood better.
2)   You get to help maintain the value in our Community.
1)   You get to enjoy the fruits of your labor and your neighbors will thank you!

I'd like to invite you to share any additions you have to my top ten. There are far more than we put up there...