National Volunteer Week

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April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week

Celebrate America's Greatest Asset

Matthew 25:31-46

 But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:  and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats;  and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?  And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:  for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me. And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

Everyone has been a volunteer at least once during their lifetime. There are many benefits to being a volunteer. In addition to helping others, volunteers have the opportunity to meet new friends, learn new skills, gain new insights and achieve a sense of accomplishment.

Our local senior center would not be able to serve the area senior citizens without volunteers. Volunteers help serve meals, keep count of those daily attending, decorate tables, building, and help with all the activities that the senior center provides. Meals and activity charges are affordable because of the volunteers who serve. For senior citizens it is beneficial to be able to meet together with other seniors for a meal and conversation.

As a  volunteer at the hospital auxiliary resale shop, I can see that the income from the shop supplies needed equipment and material for the hospital that is not in their annual budget and it gives me an opportunity to meet people from the community.

There are many other areas where volunteers are of benefit. I will mention just a few that I can think of.

• Coaches and helpers for local sports teams and activities
• Coaches and helpers for the area schools
• Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Girl Scout Leaders
• Local church as a child and adult teacher, prepare food for a need, lawn care and snow removal, repairs, janitorial, van driver and giving rides
• Many civic and social organizations
• Neighborhood litter pickup
• Humane society

I am sure there are many more that I have not mentioned but I hope you get the idea. If there were no volunteers, the cost of activities would be beyond our budgets. 

If you know a volunteer be sure to thank them.
Shirley