Volunteering & Volunteer Students

For me, one of the hardest things with being a PWC is how isolated I can quickly become.  The other day, my husband suggested that I should try to find more ways to make connections with other people.  It can be hard for a healthy person to make real connections with others, and that problem is compounded by having a chronic illness.  However, helping others and showing compassion is one way to form connections that aren't superficial.

Since becoming sick, I've had to depend on the kindness of others much more than I ever expected.  Because of my own experiences, I've realized how important compassion from other people can be.  Even though I am still ill, I want to help others, even if it is in a small way.  I have wanted to get involved with volunteering in my community for some time, but it has been difficult to find a good niche for myself because of my CFIDS.
In my community, there are several different groups that match volunteers with organizations that need help.  Unfortunately, these groups, like the culture at large, seem to assume that people with disabilities have nothing to offer the community at large.  For example, many volunteer groups have a minimum commitment you must make before they will accept you (for example: sign up for eight months, have at least 6 hours a week to give,  or must be able to do physical labor).  Because I am a PWC, I don't always know how I'll feel in a few months, let alone a few hours.  But this doesn't mean I can't help somehow.

Therefore, my question is: how can a PWC reach out to others while still recognizing his or her own limits?  What practical tips have others found to be helpful?