I often find people do not volunteer in their community because they're just not aware of all the possibilities.
There are so many needs in this world for people who have a skill, a passion or just the need to serve others through volunteerism.
I recently did some research and found that in the cities of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington alone, there are almost 5,000 nonprofits.
Last week, I was working at the Little Elm Senior Center, filling in for the Meals on Wheels congregate meal program.
Statistics have shown that people who congregate, or in other words, come together, live longer.
After completing my chores, I introduced myself to a table of women who were doing diamond art.
They congregate at the senior center, work on their craft and socialize.
When they have completed their project, they donate them to hospitals or other entities with people who need some cheering or just to know that someone out there cares about them.
That is a form of volunteerism.
They're volunteering while socializing, creating a craft they love.
This reminded me of Becky and Pam, volunteers in my hometown of Pilot Point, who have crafted greeting cards for seniors on the home delivered Meals on Wheels program.
They have been crafting them almost four years, for every holiday or just a note with a caring greeting.
Becky, Pam and the volunteer drivers sign them, and they are delivered with a meal.
I have been to many of the recipients’ homes and have seen these cards on display in a favored place.
The residents of the state school have also made greeting cards at Christmas time that are distributed to the seniors.
Let's not forget those drivers who deliver those meals and cards to our home-bound seniors, five days a week.
I will never forget my little Livi, a 3-yearold, who loved delivering meals with her mother.
She brought a lot of joy to those homebound seniors through her infectious attitude. Volunteerism has no age limit. In each of our communities, I can think of no one who gives more than those citizens who serve, without pay, on our city council or our boards. These people are required to spend a lot of time reading, researching, understanding material so they can make informed decisions that affect all of our lives.
The decisions they make cover many different subjects and areas of our lives.
Whether it is a decision to give a day off to city employees, which festivals will be held in town, what development agreements will go forward, the approval of new codes and ordinances, or spending three to four months on the next fiscal year's budget, a lot of effort and time is spent moving our cities forward into the future.
All of this at no expense to our pocketbooks.
It's all done by volunteers.
There are so many ways that we can serve others.
If each adult, teen or adolescent gave one hour of their time each month to the service of others, we would solve many of the problems of this world.
Volunteerism doesn't have to be a consuming ordeal.
It can be obtained through many mediums.
Sometimes it may be just a financial contribution.
Time was spent in earning the finances to make that contribution.
I have found that volunteerism brings more joy and fulfillment to my life than I ever give to others.
We think of volunteerism as giving to others, but it is giving to ourselves, also.
Do you have an hour to give to yourself and to others?
Find one of those 5,000-plus nonprofits that you could contribute something to.
Or see a need in your community and start a brand-new volunteer opportunity.
Cindy “Mama C” Faris is a Pilot Point resident, and she is offering life advice for any who want it. She can be reached at cynthiafaris47@ gmail.com.
