Sunday, September 16, 2012

Got some time? Volunteer.

Like many people, the thought never occurred to me that I could actually do something... some small thing, to make the world a better place... or at least this corner of it, anyway.

Then a colleague hit me with the bug.... the volunteer bug.  So, for the past several years, my wife and I have volunteered for support of the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure out of Hillsboro, getting my old bones and still too fat butt up on a bike for the first time in at least 40 years...

A little cousin, Luke Jensen fought a courageous, years-long battle against Leukemia that ultimately led to our involvement in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Battle Ground, an effort I'll be shifting to the more service-oriented Children's Cancer Association next year.

And today, we spent the day working at the Lewis River Mobile Foodbank.

Today was my first day there, and once a month on a Sunday I'll be back.

This is a very small organization, with lovely people who work for nothing to help their neighbors in need through some tough times.

It was difficult, in that my left knee is trashed, so I couldn't carry much around, but I could help with paperwork.  My wife had a good time with it, and we helped families who needed help, more than I otherwise would have done.

All of this leads me to suggest that you should find a cause.  Or two.  Or three.

You never know when you might make a difference.

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