Profile of a Volunteer

I have to admit that I do not know one person that I can profile as a volunteer. However, I know many individuals that go out of their way on a daily basis just to make a difference in someone’s life. I am part of a committee at work (which happens to be a hospital) and we receive many little cards every month that someone has sent in describing the ways they have been shown exceptional service or provided with the extras in care. Many of the people that we receive cards on go beyond their job duties on a regular basis and happen to have been called out on their abilities to show their kindness and compassion for others. Perhaps this is not a good description of a true volunteer but in my eyes, each person’s name that is written on one of those little cards has demonstrated much of the same effort of what it takes to go out of one’s way to touch the life of another. An example is when a coworker’s car is showing signs of trouble and following the coworker home to make sure they make is there safely. Yet another example is searching through piles of dirty laundry for a child’s very favorite stuffed animal to make sure they get it back (the man that did this cried as we showed how valued that effort was to the family).

I don’t believe that there is one volunteer that I am inspired by but rather all the little moments where people are thinking of a stranger to make their day brighter. One of the messages we always share with staff as we share the card that was sent in expressing the appreciation is the same that was stated by Mother Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” I am inspired by this statement every day and think it is one that can greatly be applied to our advocacy work with children in every effort we make. This is also why I believe that I am surrounded by many great volunteers that can inspire us all to make one small act of kindness that may be reflected to another which may be continue to be carried on and on.