Volunteering & Volunteer Students

“We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.”
--Winston Churchill

The Christmas/Holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year! I have so many fond memories of this holiday. But what I enjoy most about this time of year is the holiday spirit felt by so many of us, who are eager to give to others in need. Sure, giving back is done throughout the year, but there is just something about the holidays that stirs even the most unlikeliest person to donate to a toy dirve. Growing up, my parents instilled the value of giving back. Whether it was as a candy striper in a hospital, serving food at soup kitchens or donating to clothing drives, I was expected to give back in some way. It soon became second nature and very enjoyable.

While I have sponsored many children at Christmas over the years, I truly prefer giving my actual time. This really warms my heart and soul. So needless to say, I was so excited to find out that as part of our holiday celebration, my co-workers and I would be donating four hours of our time. We spent this time at Food and Friends in Washington, DC, a non-profit that began in 1988 by serving meals to individuals who were living with AIDS. Now the organization serves these individuals, as well as those living with cancer and other chronic diseases. It is something I haven't done in a very long time and forgot how good it felt. But it also puts life into perspective when you are standing in a hair net and packing meals for people who aren't able to leave their house because of an illness. Who have special meals prepared ranging from pureed (which probably means they have a feeding tube) to diabetic and whose health depends on these meals. Knowing that what you have done will have such an impact on the lives of others is an amazing feeling.

I don't need to point to a study to tell you that doing a selfless act, like volunteering your time is good for your health, heart and soul. Doing something for others just makes you feel good and personally I think this can also add years to your life. Look how long Mother Theresa lived. I encourage you and your family to take some time this holiday season to volunteer. It is definitely a health benefit for the entire family by being in an environment where there is an opportunity to bond, share and promote family values. Plus, putting a smile on someone's face and hearing their heart-felt "thank yous" is priceless.

We often get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, that we sometimes forget about this aspect of the holday. Take a moment to think of how you can improve your own health by doing something to improve the health and wellness of others. It doesn't take much to do this, except a little bit of your time and a phone call or email to your place of choice. If you are not sure where to start, begin by calling your place of worship and inquiring about what volunteer efforts are available (This is where I got my start). Do a search for homeless shelters, non-profit organizations, hospitals, women's shelters or assisted living homes for seniors. A great place to get information is at Volunteer Match. They have everything you need to know about volunteering. If you feel compelled to share how you and your family volunteer during the holidays, I would love to hear about it.