Shirley – helping create memorable moments

Story by Sharon, NJ

Picture: Sharon (in white) and her sisters and mother (in red)

This is a story about my Mother, my inspiration. She is one of the most generous, giving individuals I know. I am one of four adopted girls; suffice to say she was way ahead of Angelina and Brad. As far back as I can remember she has been involved with volunteering. She has always been motivated to help people, finding projects in newspapers and through friends. She advises anyone interested in volunteering to find a project they will enjoy. She recommends finding something that you can put your heart into. She says, ‘ It is so rewarding, all of it! It is so great to feel like you are accomplishing something. ‘

Years ago, when I expressed an interest in volunteering my Mom told me to start volunteering at home with my own family members and relatives, or people in my neighborhood. She made us all aware of the importance of family ties. We made regular visits to sick relatives, appearing in numerous hospital rooms and nursing homes. She was never afraid of the sick and taught us the importance of being by a loved ones side, no matter how difficult it may be. She worked with babies who had A.I.D.S, holding them for hours on end and playing with them. She never bragged about her work, or talked about it much. It was simply an integral part of her being, to help, to bring comfort to people in need.

Growing up we shared our home during the summers with Fresh Air Fund kids from the inner city. As kids, we loved it! We had a new playmate each summer to swim and play on the beach with. I don’t think we realized then that my Mom was doing such an extraordinary thing by opening her home to children who had never seen the ocean before, let alone been treated to barbeques and impromptu picnics on the beach. My Mom is still in contact with the kids, now adults, who summered with us. They exchange Christmas cards and birthday phone calls. She set a good example for all of us and hoped we would follow her lead and integrate volunteering into our lives.

My Mother, because she has always volunteered, has had a broad range of experiences. I recall her looking after an elderly woman named Mrs. Burros for many years: taking her to doctor’s appointments, reading to her and simply spending time with her. They became very close and enjoyed a deep friendship. My Mother was protective of her and was really relied upon by Mrs. Burros. I think there were difficult days, but mainly she enjoyed it and had fun.

My Mom describes volunteering as a mini-job without pay. She enjoys getting to know the people and the families she works with. She is currently working with young children at a local school in New Jersey. She reads to kindergartens and first graders a few times a week. She loves their unpredictable reactions and enthusiasm.

Words that summarize volunteering experiences:

1. Satisfaction
2. Happiness
3. Rewarding

Key messages:

• Volunteering is the best way to set a good example
• Giving time towards a cause can make you feel connected to humanity

Inspire forward! Share Your Volunteering Experience

Purpose of Sharing Volunteering Experience

In one word: To inspire

Submit Your Story Now!

Volunteering story

All volunteering experiences are inherently inspiring. The trick is to capture this inspiration in text. It is the responsibility of the interviewer/writer to draw out the color and details that the reader can connect with. Conveying the energy, satisfaction, pride and purpose that the volunteer feels is actually not that hard. All you need as an interviewer or a writer is a bit if curiosity and ask about detailed accounts of experiences… zoom in on a specific moment and inquire using “what happened, what did you feel, what did you think and what did you do” question. Also, asking lots of “why” questions are helpful to go beneath the surface – where the real inspirational warmth lies.

As a volunteer or an interviewer, you will experience shyness or modesty.  If you find it hard writing about yourself, have a friend write it for you or you write about each other. Since these are stories about volunteers, they are written in third person, interview style. It is important to capture the feelings, thoughts and actions from key events, being as detailed as possible. For instance, it is very interesting to learn about the first exposure to volunteering, i.e. the formative event. This typically happens at a very young age and most likely may involve a role model/teacher/parent. This event forms the beliefs the volunteer holds about the spirit of volunteerism. It is then important to get an example of recent volunteering activity that he/she may have participated in that may serve as an inspiring story.

Questions to ask

There are no specific set of questions but the following few may come in handy to get the conversation flowing

1- Meaning: What does volunteering mean to you
2- Background: What inspired you to volunteer, please think back and describe specifically a moment or an experience in your life (perhaps in your youth, perhaps with your parent/teacher/role model). What makes this experience an important one for you? What did you feel/think/do when you were in that moment of having that experience?
3- Experience now: What was most rewarding when you were volunteering, specific interaction during the experience that sums it all up for you and makes it all worth it
4- Advice: Advice for people who might be thinking about volunteering
5- Three words: If you were to describe THREE feelings that get triggered in you as you think back at the times you have volunteered
6- Looking forward: What are you looking forward to in terms of future volunteering

Story sample

Click here for a sample of Sharon and Percy visiting patients at a hospital (note: a new window will open)

Good luck!