Giving Back

                                    


Why volunteer?  Well, the obvious answer is, "to help others" or "to give back".  Aren't we really helping ourselves in the process?  I think so.  Volunteering makes you feel good, it makes your inner light shine a little brighter, it puts a lift in your step and a song in your heart.  It makes you feel like you're making a difference.

What's even better?  Volunteering with a friend or a group.  So grab your BFF, your book club or your networking group and brainstorm ways that YOU can make a difference!

These days, Facebook is a great place to find ways to volunteer.  Many non-profit organizations post upcoming events and ways that the community can help.  A quick search can result in MANY volunteer opportunities!  The United Way of Kitsap County also has a list of partner agencies that need help.

The "Just 5 Minutes" idea for this post?  Op4G - A market research company where the surveys you take means money for the non-profit of YOUR choice!  I encourage you to check it out.  There is a long list of non-profits, including the Arthritis Foundation Great West Region.



"There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down and helping to lift someone up" - Bernard Meltzer

Less than 5 Minutes!

Well, you KNEW it was coming!  That's right!  Today's "Just 5 Minutes" activity (drum roll please) - REGISTER for the Port Orchard Jingle Bell Run/Walk.  Your $20 registration fee includes an event shirt and the satisfaction of knowing that YOU are doing something to MAKE ARTHRITIS UNACCEPTABLE!

For more information,  please visit our website www.portorchardjinglebellrun.org.  

I thank you, Kinsey thanks you, the 300,000 children affected by arthritis thank you as well.

How do you choose?

How do you choose?  There are so many worthy causes, organizations, individuals and families that need help.  Maybe you choose by what is needed: time, item/service or money.  Maybe you choose by what "hits close to home".  Or maybe your schedule dictates how you choose.   


Saturday, September 17, there is a fundraiser for a family in need.  Their son was seriously injured in a bicycle accident and has been hospitalized for several weeks.  As you can imagine, the medical bills are starting to pile up.  For more information, please visit their blog at  nolan-harness.blogspot.com.  They also have an event posted on Facebook - Auction for Hope.


Even environmental groups need help.  The Petersen Farm Fall Fair is Sunday, September 18.  Proceeds from the Fair support conservation of Petersen Farm and the Kitsap Community Food Co-op.


Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him -
Albert Schweitzer

Community that Cares!

We live in a community that truly cares!  The South Kitsap Helpline is in need and the community is trying to help.  If you shopped at Fred Meyer over the weekend, you probably saw Velma or one of their volunteers selling raffle tickets for a $500 gift card to Fred Meyer.  Do you know what the winner did?  They turned around and gave it right back!  An act of kindness that took little thought and little time!


On September 19, SK Helpline is having a fundraiser at Pizza Factory.  Give yourself the night off from cooking and stop by!

TODAY - Carter's Chocolates is offering 50% off their smores' bars to anyone that brings in canned goods for the SK Helpline.  What a great way to TAKE 5!!

Great ways to GIVE BACK to an organization that gives SO MUCH to our community!

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.  ~Cynthia Ozick

What is a "Volunteer"?

The dictionary defines the word volunteer as "a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking" or "a person who performs a service willingly and without pay".  It can also mean to "give or bestow".  For me, the word "volunteer" means simply "taking the time to think of others".  We get so caught up in our everyday lives that it is easy to think of no one but ourselves. We've all done it. I think we just need a little reminder at times.

The name of my blog is, "Just 5 Minutes".  Can you imagine what it would be like if everyone were to STOP for "Just 5 Minutes" and think of the needs of others?  Do you need to rearrange your schedule to do that?  No.  Everyone has 5 minutes.  Everyone.  In the shower, in the car, when you're on hold, when you're in line at the toll booth, AND even longer if you're sitting on the ferry!

Sometimes your 5 minutes will lead to simply "providing a service or undertaking" for someone in need.  Sometimes your 5 minutes may require simply spending time with someone.  And yes, sometimes your 5 minutes may lead to spending money in order to lighten someone's load.  Maybe your 5 minutes will lead to an action that ONLY requires literally 5 minutes of your time!

I was at a committee meeting (of volunteers) recently for a local event and someone made the comment, "I hope we don't have to work as hard as we did year before last".  Can a volunteer, someone thinking of others, someone lightening the load of someone else, someone walking for someone that can't,  REALLY work too hard?  I think not!  I hope you find this blog useful.  I hope it helps you to remember to stop and take "Just 5 Minutes" for someone else.

Lighten the load.  Be kind.  Shine the light.  BE the difference in someone's life.


Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It's not.  ~Dr. Seuss

My New Blog

I've been thinking about starting this blog for quite some time and decided today was the day!  It's a simple blog, really.  A blog about what YOU can do in "Just 5 Minutes" to help someone else.  Yes, believe it or not, there are things that you can do in five minutes!

What prompted this blog?  My love for volunteering and the need to encourage others to do the same.  I think that too many people feel that they can't volunteer because it either a) takes too much time or b) is going to cost them money.  When in fact, neither is true.  I hope to prove that with this blog!

I encourage you to follow along and hope that you will find the information useful.  Who knows?  Maybe it will inspire you to "take 5" for someone.  I hope so!