by Nina O’Neill, Ward 5 Chair
Often, people think of volunteering once they retire or at some point “later on in life” when they are not busy (if that day ever comes). I think that volunteering is something that we should not wait to do for many reasons. Here are just a few.
Volunteering is a great way to meet people, especially like-minded people, or people who share your interests and passions. If you are still in the work world, you can make lots of great connections from volunteering that could even lead to job opportunities.
Maybe you are looking for “Mr. or Ms. Right” or a new friend? Volunteering can lead to increased social and relationship opportunities. DC can be a lonely place and volunteering can fill a void in us that craves a community-our “tribe.”
Volunteering is a way to give back. Let’s face it-most of us have been quite blessed. We live in a great country and our standard of living is better than a large percentage of the rest of the world. We have homes, cars, careers, families… We don’t really have to worry about our day-to-day needs being met.
When we volunteer, we fill a need in our community and our society at large. We do a job that needs to be done but doesn’t necessarily need to be done by a paid worker. We save good organizations money
by volunteering, and we may share a special gift or skill that we possess.
Over the years I have volunteered at my church, in my kids’ schools, at a summer youth camp, in community organizations, and with the DCGOP. I have to say that I have met so many great people and gotten a lot of joy and fulfillment from my volunteer opportunities. It may sound cliché, but when we give to others, it truly does come back to us in so many ways.
Along with the benefits of volunteering, we must not neglect the call and the duty. “To whom much is given, much is expected.” I know it feels like a large mountain of opposition to overcome here in DC, but our city is crumbling, and we have the policies and ideas to combat the disintegration. No matter how busy we are or how outnumbered we may think we are, NOW is the time. Our city-America’s city, and our nation need Republican and conservative values and ideas more than ever. So, meet, discuss, stuff envelopes, VOTE, campaign, RUN! Let’s focus on our shared ideals, stick together, and do all we can to improve DC and America.
