FAMILY & HOME
AROUND THE BLOCK
WITH SUSAN.......
Volunteering
I am often asked, “Why are you so involved with so many different organizations
and don’t you get tired of it?”
Well...... No.
I find it energizing.
You can learn new skills or use and share those you already possess. You meet
wonderful people doing fabulous work on small budgets, and discover large
nonprofits that rely on volunteers to keep costs down. You are educated about the
needs in the community. It can be hard work, it can be fun or frustrating, but you are
always rewarded by the feeling that you made a small difference in the community.
I am also asked how to get involved in volunteering. First thing I ask is, “What are
your interests and what skills do you want to share or learn?” Ask friends what
their favorite volunteer job is. You may choose to help at church or your child’s
school, rock babies in the nursery at a hospital or work on a gala.
One great way to learn about smaller nonprofits is the Spirit of St. Louis Women’s
Fund. It strengthens the St. Louis community through informed, focused grant
making, and by educating and inspiring women to engage in giving. Because
it grants to smaller organizations you can learn about so many by visiting the
website at www.spiritstlwomensfund.org. SOS membership is open to all women.
Make a difference. Volunteer. You become a much more interesting person when you
are involved. Each and every one of us can find a few hours in our busy schedules.
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Faith Berger, Eileen Edelman, Susan Block and David Schneider.
Photo by David Bolen Smith
GAZELLE STL