International Volunteer Day

It's a holiday that requires (unpaid) work, but International Volunteer Day is an important time to take note of all the volunteer work that happens all over the globe. Every little thing that we can do, helps out. I know I've been on the receiving end of volunteer help many times and have appreciated every gesture. On the giving end, it has made me more aware of others and appreciate my own ability to help others in need. What do you do as a volunteer? I've taught classes, sewn costumes, read to kids, addressed envelopes, baked cookies, and more over the past 6 years, much of it through my kids' school. There are plenty of other ways to volunteer, but if you need any ideas on how you can help in your own community, check out the Volunteer Match or Action Without Borders website. If you are in Portland, check out Hands-On Portland--a great site for numerous local opportunities. Then get out there and donate a couple of hours of your time. I'm pretty sure human kindness keeps the world spinning.