Do You Volunteer?

[littledenny]

Anyone else here have the time to volunteer?

After I retired from the Army, I decided that I wanted to learn about the community I'd retired into, and what better way than to volunteer?

Saw an ad in the paper that the local county was starting a new Search and Rescue team, to take some of the burden off the volunteer firemen. Figured, I could handle that, especially as I've had the experience of roaming around in some 21 foreign countries. Seems folks from Atlanta like to come exploring in the North Georgia mountains, and manage to misplace themselves. (Not really sure how they do that, there's a logging trail or a stream every couple hundred yards in these woods, all you have to do to find civilization is follow it downhill. Still, we found a guy a couple weeks ago, who was within gunshot of his car, and hadn't a clue.)

Since I've started, I've become a Rescue Specialist, a certified First Responder-working towards EMT Basic, am set to take a class on extrication this weekend, and now I'm even contemplating going for Firefighter Mod 1.

Along the way, I've taken several computer based courses from FEMA, and discovered that there are some good courses there. For anyone so inclined, I'd recommend that you take a look, as there are several courses that cause you to think about how prepared you are for a flood, fire, or other disaster in your own neighborhood. I, for one am not paranoid, but I do think everyone should give some thought to individual and family preparations in the event of an emergency.

I'm thinking that Steve mentioned that he was a fireman of good standing in another post. How about the rest of you?

[Steve Frazier]

Yes, I've been a Volunteer firefighter since 1978. I've held Lieutenant and Captain, am currently Company President. I'm also a fireman/driver on the ambulance.

My problem is I don't know how to say no. I'm active at Church, serving on committees regularly, I'm on the Town Planning Board, and am active in our local Republican Committee.

I end up doing about 2 meetings a week, it sure keeps you busy!

[CT18fireman]

Volunteer in the local FD, numerous commitees in the department. Also active in a few other town or community functions.

As a company we also volunteer for a non for profit company here providing services (hauling, setting up and equipment) for their fundraising every year. This has proven to be highly beneficial from an advertising standpoint, though when I started doing it, I only volunteered because my wife worked for them.

As Steve said once you start, it is hard to say "No"

[will_gurt]

I did my time as a volunteer fireman. I had the blessing of of being the one in charge too. Did the gig for a little over twelve years. I also ran with the ambulance service for a little under ten years.

I gave it all up when the superiors tried to tell me that they were more important than my paying job though.

[DKinWA]

I used to do a lot of volunteer work, but not so much anymore. I'm trying to get the business going, work my day job and starting construction on a new house, so I don't have a lot of spare time. I hope to start volunteering for various things once I finish the house and get a couple other things completed. When I was growing up, my mom used to do a lot of volunteer work and my sister and I picked up on it. I've always thought volunteering was important and it really opens your eyes to what's going on in your community.

[Bob Horrell]

Being my own boss allows me to schedule time to do some of the things I think are important in life. I am a big brother to a 17 year old. We started out 4 1/2 years ago. I also do volunteer work for an equestrian center for handicapped kids.
One of the most rewarding is volunteer work I do for the Painted Turtle Camp. It is one of the Hole In The Wall Gang Camps that Paul Newman started for kids with terminal or chronic diseases. It is a beautiful place where sick kids can come for a week and experience what camp life is like for normal kids. Among the many facitlites at the camp is a full hospital staffed by medical volunteers. With over 100 acres there is no end to the tractor work I can do there.
My wife and I have a horse ranch and my wife volunteers as the head trainer for county employees (animal control and sherrifs) and other volunteers in how to handle horses and trailer load them in emergencies (which are mostly fire related). Between the two of us we don't have much free time, but we are lucky that we really enjoy what we do.

[glsahl]

Wish there were enough hours in a week.Would like to volunteer,good karma.My company has done some stuff for Shadetree,and Homes for the Homeless,have some good experiences for local parks and recreation dept.,and elementary schools (McCaw School of Mines).Vegas is good for "emergency" causes,but,long term stuff,well,"out of sight,out of mind",seems appropriate.Disappointing at best.
With the construction boom we've been experiencing,everyone is busy with the almighty dollar,there is no spare time,that can't be directed toward furthering an"immediate need","charity starts at HOME",has a "TIGHT" focus around here.