The United States economy hangs in the balances. It is a difficult time to solicit help from others when unemployment is high and the pressures of supporting our own families are hardships we are dealing with. With costs of entertainment high, and the expenses of traveling on vacation, another option is available. You can forego an expensive vacation and spend that time off with your family volunteering. There are many wonderful organizations that need help during the summer.
Make A Wish Foundation
Make A Wish is a foundation that grants wishes to children that are dealing with life threatening illnesses. This foundation works from donations and volunteers. The opportunities to help can be as simple as office work, or as complicated by helping build a tree house in the backyard for a youngster.
According to the Make A Wish Foundation website, their mission is “We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”
In order to qualify as a wish granter, there is training involved, but some wishes do not take as long as others and you can tell Make A Wish what your desire of commitment entails. Springfield has its own office so your help is only a phone call away.
Humane Society of Southwest Missouri
According to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri website,” The mission of the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri is to aid in the alleviation of distress and suffering of animals by operating a shelter for animals in need of care, placing animals in suitable homes when possible, and offering educational programs that promote animal welfare.”
Volunteering at the Humane Society is an opportunity to give back. They need people to walk the dogs, feed them, and play with them. They do have set hours, and ask for volunteers to commit to a certain amount of hours. The age limit of a child volunteer is 10 years old, unless accompanied by a parent. Animals that are abandoned and placed here need to be held and cuddled and socialized. Volunteering at the Humane Society is a great way to feel good about you, and help an animal in a dire situation, feel good too.
So this Summer if you want to get out and do something with the family, consider donating your time to others. It’s a great way to generate family memories and bring out the best in you.