Live United by Ann Austin

 

My daughter, Elise, and I have started to volunteer in the community. It is an even more valuable and life-changing experience than I anticipated.

I tested Elise’s volunteer capacity this summer with the community cleanup events our United Way helped organize. She had a great deal of fun, worked well with the other volunteers and showed the qualities that I have come to look for and appreciate so much with our volunteers.

Volunteers must be patient, adaptable, take the lead (when it’s needed) and be able to join together with others to create and carry out a common vision. Volunteering can be one of the most challenging and rewarding roles.

Since Elise showed some of these traits, along with enthusiasm, a strong work ethic and amazing endurance, I decided to try out volunteering at the Humane Society of Freeborn County.

She loves animals and we have both a dog and a cat in our home, so she is accustomed to their needs as well as their personalities. We always give cats extra space.

Our first day went well! Robyn Joel, Humane Society devoted volunteer, showed us the process and was very kind and encouraging for Elise. She also gave us a tour of the wonderful facility.

Elise was a little nervous because there were a lot of cats, but we developed a routine and she was able to adapt to their different personalities and needs.

We decided, after that day, we would commit to volunteering once a month. At some point, we will probably do more — but I’m trying not to overwhelm my kindergartner.

However, as Elise gets older, I am going to continue to encourage her to volunteer — and take on more responsibility. It is so important for us to get involved in causes we are passionate about.

I have worked with youth from a variety of ages, and sometimes we take for granted what they are capable of. However, when given opportunity and some direction, they can take on and lead tasks that many adults would be intimidated by.

I presented to the Area Learning Center youth several years ago about how to get involved locally — I was amazed at their interest and passion to improve local water quality, access to recycling and create additional activities for youth to participate in.

I became convinced that youth are the most under-represented group of volunteers in our community. As parents, we can encourage our children to get involved and join them in their work. As community members, we need to encourage our youth to get involved in causes they are passionate about.

We are not isolated in what we care about — sometimes we need to step outside our comfort zone and make a call, gather people together in a meeting or organize an awareness event. Opportunities are only as limited as our imagination.

In our community, there is a 95-year-old woman who knits hats for area children — the  hats are beautiful and treasured by those who receive them. There are people who drive senior citizens who can no longer drive to appointments. There are people who cuddle babies. There are opportunities for just about anyone to get involved. And, if you are so inclined, you can take one Saturday a month to volunteer at the Humane Society.

Most of these volunteer opportunities don’t take a lot of time — but if you commit long-term, you will help sustain the valuable services local nonprofits provide.

Everyone needs a purpose — and a way to engage in meaning with others. This next year — I encourage all of you to find something you are passionate about, and make a call. If you don’t know who to call, you can contact Katelyn at 507-473-2718 or fill out a form online at www.unitedwayfc.org/volunteer.

It is up to each of us to make our community a stronger, better place to live. You can — and do — make a difference!

Ann Austin is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.