365 Days of Bliss – Day 2 – Volunteering (and LOTW)
Hello everyone, Tracy here! So many things come to my mind when I think of what “bliss” I have in my life, but one of my passions is volunteering. Even before becoming a SAHM I loved helping out in my community. I belong to my local woman’s club, a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, who supports children’s advocacy, women’s health and education (among many other things). One of my favorite parts of the group that I’m in is our state conventions where we get to meet other groups from Florida.
This past weekend several hundred women of all ages and backgrounds descended on Orlando, Florida for a 1950’s themed weekend of fun. We danced to Grease Lightning, held a hula hoop contest, raced cars around a convention ballroom and celebrated all our achievements in 2010. We shared project ideas, raised money for educational scholarships, bought books for a school in need and even held some computer classes to help all the clubs get more tech savvy. Friends are so important in life and I love having girls from all around the state that share in my love of volunteering.
And like Libby I love a blog post with pics so here are some for you to laugh at from my weekend.
Clifford was at the Book Fair and I was the 3rd leg in our race around the ballroom (notice I’m kicking the car to go)…
We got to wear cool costumes…
And my own club won Best Overall Club in our size category!!!!
So what do you do to VOLUNTEER? Let us know how you help your town, your church, your hospital, your child’s school…how do you make a difference???
And because it’s Monday…that means Layout of the Week. So after I got back from the weekend away I sat down to relax and browse the gallery. “Our Condo” by SmallMoments caught my eye right away. I love all the elements in bright colors, the creative shadow photo and the large amount of journaling to document the memories. Congrats Kristin! I’ll be PMing you your prize today!
Libby Pritchett said...
on May 2nd, 2011 at 12:07 pm
What a great post, Tracy! LOVE the photos!!
When my daughter was little, I loved to volunteer in her school. These days, I do my volunteering at church! Jeff & I recently decided that we’d like to work with the Youth, so we’re hoping to find a more permanent volunteer position in the high school ministry. 🙂
RealRach said...
on May 2nd, 2011 at 12:54 pm
yes I do. Almost daily. Mostly school related. I’m President of our local Elementary school group and VP of the the Middle School group. I give a TON of my time and talent to the school and the kids. I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
jengerbread88 said...
on May 2nd, 2011 at 1:42 pm
My family helps run the Angel Food Ministries branch at our local church, and we also run the clothes closet in our town. I also spend time volunteering with Foreign Exchange students… that one is truly my passion!
Stacy said...
on May 2nd, 2011 at 2:29 pm
I volunteer at Rachel’s school…I work in the library once a week, and plan to go in twice a week next year when she’s in all-day kindergarten.
I also work in the church nursery taking care of the 1 yr olds…I had this class on a weekly basis for over a year, but recently cut back to twice a month so that I could actually get into the worship service again.
Rachel (rach3975) said...
on May 2nd, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Looks like fun, and congrats on being voted best club!! I volunteer through my kids’ schools. I’m on the hospitality committee at Ben’s preschool, so I serve as room parent and this year my big project was organizing the clothing drive. I also go into the elementary school twice a month to help run my son’s class library.
Raylene said...
on May 2nd, 2011 at 6:47 pm
I love this new direction! It’s VERY inspiring! I must say that in our small community, there is a LOT of volunteering done. My favorite times are the fund raising plays & musicals that involve hundreds of people, both behind the scenes and on stage. The plays are always a hoot! I never laugh as hard all year! My DH is very involved, singing & acting, and I am so proud of him & the others that enrich our lives in this way!
clearskies said...
on May 2nd, 2011 at 8:57 pm
I mentor teen moms, as well as serving on the leadership team with my MOPS group.
mrshobbes said...
on May 3rd, 2011 at 12:40 am
I’m active as a life coach and staffer for a company that does corporate teambuilding and courses on goal-setting, belief systems, etc. While for a specific program I do get a tiny stipend (Because the program lasts for three months and we prepare three months beforehand), there are also two other programs where my only “pay” really is seeing my students happy and many times, able to break free of whatever negative and paralyzing beliefs they have about themselves. It’s seeing all kinds of people at their worst AND their best and the high I get from all of that cannot be compared. It really can’t. Coaching and staffing has allowed me to embrace myself as a more loving, trusting, open, passionate, committed, and joyful woman 🙂
I loved hearing about your causes, Tracy! YAY you for doing so much for your community!
aly321 said...
on May 3rd, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Love those photos Tracy! You are an adorable 50’s girl!
Ethereal_sheep said...
on May 3rd, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Volunteering… How I miss it! Before starting vet school, I volunteered with animal related stuff all the time. Once I get how, I hope to volunteer my services in a low budget spay-neuter clinic and maybe tutor/mentor some kiddos 🙂 Fabulous photos!
Diane said...
on May 4th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
I began volunteering as a teenager in the 1950’s. As a member of the Ground Observer Corps, I spent time in a tower looking for any invading airplanes. When my children were young, school and church were my volunteer activities. In the years since, I have been a crisis volunteer with a mental health clinic, a regular visitor to children in a state institution, and a hospital volunteer. For the five years since I retired, I have been the librarian for a k-4 charter school through the RSVP program. I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. I believe that volunteering helps to give back for one’s blessings, and it brings more blessings back than can be counted.
jessica said...
on May 4th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Looks like such a fun time! I have not volunteered much lately. I used to help out at my kids school when they were younger but because of health issues in the last two and a half years I just have not done much.