When I think about the game of gratitude, I also think about volunteering. Because it’s one of those things that when you do it, although you’re helping someone else, it turns out that you’re also helping yourself.
I have been volunteering at my kid’s school since Jake was in Kindergarten. He’s going to college next year, so you can figure out how long that is. Our largest fundraiser was an auction, and I was there the first year one of the other mom’s brought in an idea about each class doing a theme basket that could be auctioned off. I took this little project on for many years because my artistic skills helped the effort, and because it was fun. I once designed a desk and then had a whole class of 2nd graders paint one section, so they would all feel ownership. One teacher created an Egyptian tomb and put artifacts inside. (not real ones–you weren’t thinking real ones, were you?) There were oversized art baskets, and baskets filled with books, and sports baskets overflowing with frisbees, and balls, and outdoor games. These things were popular in the silent auction. They often had parents guarding them, in order to keep upping the bid. I was involved in a few of those wars (they weren’t pretty).
Our school was also known for its commitment to drama. And while I did some props for a year or two, I finally took the leap and produced with another mom I’d never met (who then became one of the greatest people in my life, and one of my closest friends). It was so much fun, I continued doing the plays until Jake graduated (Ally only did the musicals until 6th grade, when she realized she had sadly inherited my charming vocal skills.) I did everything from costumes to posters. I loved it and I loved working with the kids and watching the transformation that took place for them over the course of the rehearsals. Also, it was really cool to see that the play brought the popular kids together with the less popular kids to form a cohesive bond. Labels were dropped and self-esteem was boosted. I liked being part of that. Plus we always had a kick-ass party after the whole thing was done.
I did a bunch of other volunteer stuff during my time at our fantastic elementary school, like the Understanding Disabilities program, run by the town, and parent volunteers, to help kids have a clear understanding that people with disabilities are just that, people, first and foremost. I also helped in classrooms, on field trips, and with recycling programs and homeless shelter projects. And while I know each of these things helped the kids and the school, I probably got something even better from each of them. Every time I helped the school, I also helped myself. I could go to bed feeling like I did something that mattered with my day. I love advertising, and it helps the company that I work with, but for me, it’s not as fulfilling as volunteering.
I am currently volunteering at the high school for the After the Prom Party, which is as the name implies is a party that takes place after the prom. It has a theme (this year, the beach) and entertainment and prizes and is really a blast. It was created to keep kids safe on a night that is traditionally known for drinking and driving. Anyway, tomorrow night, we’ll be painting surfboards and cutting out fish, so if you want to join us, we’d love to have you!
These are my top five tips for volunteering:
1. Do what you love. I am good at writing and designing and marketing, but don’t make me organize the event, it’s not my thing. Love what you’re doing and you’ll help your organization and yourself.
2. Volunteering is not a paid gig, but treat it like one. If you make the commitment, show up. No calling in “tired.”
3. Bring something to the party. Literally. If you can, it’s fun to have some wine and food while you’re volunteering. Bring a little something something and watch people perk up.
4. Be enthusiastic. If you’re going to feel put upon, stay home. Plain and simple.
5. Be open to meeting people. If I hadn’t agreed to produce the play, I wouldn’t have ever met one of my best friends in the world (not to mention her whole family, all of whom I LOVE and so does my family).
I am off to get foam core for the fish. And yes, the After the Prom Party is going just swimmingly, thank you!
*the gratitude-a-thon 
I agree. I had so much fun through elementary school with volunteering in all those things too. Understanding our differences, teacher appreciation, going in to help teachers in classrooms and the most favorite volunteering event was the school play in 5th grade. I volunteered to head the committee, not knowing what that meant. I thought it might be helping with costumes. It turned out to be a huge hanging mural for the backdrop of the play. I forgot how big, but it was about 18 x 10 feet or so. Figuring out how to do it was the tricky part. Luckily my friend Larry was visiting us from France and he helped with the grid. I got a big roll of brown paper 3′ wide and gave a section to each parent to enlarge from a section of my small sketch. We put it together on the gym floor (it was amazing that the pieces actually fit somewhat together). We painted until almost midnight one night. One parent said she felt like she was in an art class and having so much fun (she was a Dr. from China and never did this before). I showed them how to dry brush it so it would look better from a distance. After the play the art teacher said she could never do a back drop again. One parent said we need to save it. I think they probably still have it folded up in their attic. The kids loved it and we were all invited up after the play for a big thank you. So nice to help and so nice to have people appreciate it. I can’t wait to see your pictures of what the Beach Party looks like :-).
And I just remembered a fundraiser where we had an auction and there was a bidding war over our DUMPLING MAKING PARTY gift certificate. The school got a lot of money for that one. We went to the persons house and showed them how to make dumplings from scratch. A family had 5 boys over for it. So much fun. You have me thinking of so many fun events that I forgot about. Thanks Toni 🙂
you’re so creative, suzin! and a good cook, too. i always think of you as someone who can accomplish anything!
Thanks Toni. Jim said I needed to stop volunteering so much. Here I am again doing free work for Big Brother Big Sister. Such a great program. I couldn’t say no.
you need “the stop me before i volunteer again.” shirt!