Just imagine a little child suffering from a complex heart disease about which doctors have virtually given up hope but are trying their very best at the same time. He lies there cheerful and happy not knowing what is going on surrounded by disturbed parents and relations. Does not your heart go out to help…to just brighten his day by playing with him or telling stories or even raising funds for a very expensive surgery. If that child survives the trauma and comes out healthy would not the joy be tremendous but even if the outcome is disappointing, you will have the satisfaction that you did your best.

Volunteering for hospitals is a very satisfying job and you will have many opportunities available. You may even use it on your resume or college application as proof that you are a compassionate and caring person. If you need a reference like that, you may ask for a letter of recommendation from your volunteer supervisor. You may call or visit your local hospital to find out about their volunteer program and probably fill an application and a background check would be done. After approval you may sign up for volunteer shifts as per your convenience. You may also provide dolls or blankets for deserving patients and could also plan a one day visit as a group or with your family to brighten someone’s day. The stress of illness is truly very frustrating and the aid of volunteers is really appreciated and gratefully accepted. If you can put a smile of hope on a saddened face…the satisfaction you receive is truly invaluable.

It was a bright day, all seemed great…but then I saw a little child peeping through the window of a toy shop with eager eyes looking at that lovely doll…I knew she could not buy it, but I could and then I found myself counting notes over the counter and believe me the ecstasy on that little face was invaluable…worth millions of dollars. This may not be called volunteering but is a small act of kindness to a little girl and when you commit your time, energy and resources to help and provide support to people in need and to organizations with no financial benefit to yourself it is called volunteering.

You may also say that by volunteering you express your citizenship and your commitment to the society as a whole. You commit your time and your energy for the benefit of society and the community as a whole. Volunteering is generally undertaken freely and by personal choice without any concern for financial gain. Volunteering may include a wide range of activities like self help, charity, citizenship, community service, public service, environmental awareness, trustee, member and helper.

Each one sees the act of volunteering in a different way…some feel they are doing an act of kindness, some feel that they should set things in place in society and still others do it to gain new skills and increase job prospects. Whatever it is, volunteering is a noble act where you part with your services free of charge with the goal of brightening someone else’s life or doing something good to society.