Thread: Share your volunteer experiences

A day or two ago our good friend Defensor posted a thread about the evils of government sponsoring national service.

I'm a big fan of volunteering. I'm a Boy Scout troop leader and I spend several hours each week counseling vets who are experiencing problems due to PTSD. I specialize in Vietnam vets because I served three combat tours with 2/7 Cavalry in Vietnam, but I'm increasingly dealing with Gulf War and Iraqi Freedom vets.

I also spend a few hours each week conducting medical assesments at the Mooring House, a local shelter for homeless alcoholics and the drug dependant.

I very much believe that God expects us to help our fellow man in whatever way we can. Do you agree and do you volunteer? Please share your experiences as a volunteer.

I worked with the boy scouts for eight years, the cub scouts before that. During the holidays I would take my family along with a few hundred home made cookies to retirement centers. As a novice ham and before the internet explosion, I would arrange 10's of thousands of pen pals for school students in SLC. I donate a case or two of condoms to the welfare offices every year in my area. I volunteer with meals on wheels from time to time, and work with a group of gleaners to strip fruits and vegetables for food banks.

Youth baseball, that's all I got.

Originally Posted by michaelr

I worked with the boy scouts for eight years, the cub scouts before that. During the holidays I would take my family along with a few hundred home made cookies to retirement centers. As a novice ham and before the internet explosion, I would arrange 10's of thousands of pen pals for school students in SLC. I donate a case or two of condoms to the welfare offices every year in my area. I volunteer with meals on wheels from time to time, and work with a group of gleaners to strip fruits and vegetables for food banks.

Your one helluva a cool dude Mike! Seriously, God bless you for what you do!

Originally Posted by Sparta

Youth baseball, that's all I got.

I love baseball but as a coach I suck. I mean there are little kids who can strike me out. It's embarassing. Good for you coaching Little League!

Originally Posted by Bourne

Your one helluva a cool dude Mike! Seriously, God bless you for what you do!

That thud you heard was me falling from my chair.. No seriously, I was taught to think of my fellow citizen growing up. Your volunteering experiences top mine, you should be very proud. I am glad that I never saw war,as you did. But if I did I would love to know someone like you that honestly cares. It is great that people with your spirit and tenacity are abound!

You two are both pretty impressive with the work you do. That's what it takes to make a society work right there, good show.

Originally Posted by michaelr

That thud you heard was me falling from my chair.. No seriously, I was taught to think of my fellow citizen growing up. Your volunteering experiences top mine, you should be very proud. I am glad that I never saw war,as you did. But if I did I would love to know someone like you that honestly cares. It is great that people with your spirit and tenacity are abound!

I meant every word of it Mike. We may not agree about politics or the cause of certain events but I have the utmost respect for you as a kind and decent and very caring human being.

Someday I'd like to share a drink or two with you and some stories.

Originally Posted by Bourne

Someday I'd like to share a drink or two with you and some stories.

My goodness, you really are the charitable sort!

Originally Posted by Sparta

My goodness, you really are the charitable sort!

I'll buy. Chivas or Jack D. No bottom shelf hootch allowed.