Defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as:
The occupation or function of serving
The work performed by one that services
Contribution to the welfare of others
None of those definitions, however, seem exactly right. Maybe because it’s hard to fit all that one word means into a statement. Maybe the better definition isn’t a statement at all, but the question Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once asked: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'
These days that can be a hard question to answer. Just weeks after the holiday season when most of us have been bombarded with messages of giving, when our bank accounts and personal time are still recovering it can be hard to find the finances, not to mention energy to give more.
But now more than any other time is when it might be most important to give. Many charitable organizations quickly fall off the radar of their communities after the holidays, but that doesn’t mean they still don’t need help, and some organizations are busy planning their busy season desperately seeking volunteers.
Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day it is also a day of service. The MLK Day of Service is part of United We Serve and asks Americans to pledge to spend a day making a positive impact on their community. You can search for opportunities on the MLK Day of Service website, register your own Day of Service, and also check out Patch’s volunteers needed section.
Here are four opportunities to get you started:
Pledge To Be A Volunteer For Groton Public Schools
The mentor program has been in place since 1999 and provides service to approximatly 120 students per year. The goal is to find a mentor for every student that has a need, and it only requires one hour per week. There is always a waiting list and volunteers are always needed, according to the school department website.
Become A Greater Mystic Chamber Of Commerce Volunteer
The is constantly seeking volunteers to help at the Welcome Center as well as volunteers for the chamber’s events throughout the year. For more information contact Tricia Walsh at the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce at 860-572-9578.
Volunteer At A Local Library
Our local libraries are always looking for volunteers to help in a number of ways including collection inventory, special events and kook shelving. For more information, contact the at 860-441-6750 or the at 860-536-7721.
