What political volunteering do you do?
By ladybugmagic
@ladybugmagic (3978)
United States
5 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
6 Nov 10
Many moons ago I did volunteer work for Senator Barbara Mikulski, who happens to be a Democrat, but who is someone I still believe has the best interest of my home state of Maryland at heart...and who is still a fighter.
I also volunteered with a literacy program that focused on disadvantaged, inner city children which, in turn, lead to other volunteer opportunities that benefit poor children.
That was when I was younger and had more energy though. These days it's all I can do to participate in the annual walk to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, an organization we support because of my granddaughter's illness. Our business, along with my husband's motorcycle club, also host a poker run/cook out benefit every year for the JDRF. As members of the JDRF we've written letters, sent emails and made phone calls in support of stem cell research.
All of our other volunteer/charitable activites are local. The Eagles Club we belong to recently had a benefit to raise money for a member who has cancer and is too sick to work so we all helped with her rent and other expenses. We attend fundraisers at the VFW to help local vets, and donate to the food pantries at both of the churches I attend.
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@spalladino (17891)
• United States
6 Nov 10
My granddaughter was invited to speak before a Senate subcommittee on stem cell research a few years ago...one of the "faces" of juvenile diabetes. I don't believe there was a dry eye in the room by the time she and the other kids who spoke were finished.
The Methodist church I attend is planning a flea market to raise money to buy Christmas gifts for children in our community who otherwise would have little to nothing under the tree. I've been going through closets and cabinets, getting things ready to sell...and making room for the things I will buy. I'm a goober like that too. ![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
6 Nov 10
Shameless Obama plug -
He lifted the restrictions on stem cell research.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/09/politics/100days/domesticissues/main4853385.shtml
Wow - you have been busy!
Eep. Another shamless Obama Plug. He set this into motion. A public listing of all volunteer projects.
http://www.serve.gov/about.asp
He's a pretty groovey guy.
Out here - I see a lot of people doing garage sales where the proceeds go to a charity or to help a local person with an ailment.
I tear up each time I go to one. I am a goober like that.
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@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
5 Nov 10
Politically, I vote and that's about it. I have almost no interest in political volunteering.
In other areas, I work with the friends for my local library, I started out buying books for resale there and eventually became a "friend". Admitedly I had and still have an ulterior motive (getting my own books). But another dealer and I eventually took over the sales and we made a heck of a lot of money for the library. I'm proud of what we accomplished while keeping the prices of the books low. The head librarian seems to think so too, she wants us back. Currently the place is closed undergoing a 13 million dollar renovation and when it is open again in the spring we are getting our own little shop instead of selling from the basement. We expect to top 100K per year in that shop selling books for $1 and $.50.
I'd like to do something with animals. Either rescuing or fostering but right now, I just don't have the time, so a donation here and there will have to do.
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@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
7 Nov 10
You know it really is kinda nice when you see a way to help yourself and others at the same time.
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@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
6 Nov 10
Wow! I love the book selling you are doing - for such a good cause, even if there is an ulterior motive.
I can't foster for two reasons. My boyfriend is highly allergic with his condition. I brought a cat home from the shelter, and named him Snowball. And loved him to pieces. The next day, my boyfriend's oxygen level fell so low, he almost had to go to the ER, so kitty had to go to another family.
And the second - I get attached easily. If they got a permanent home for the animal, I'd be happy but heart broken.
I want to find more sanctuary farms and contribute there.
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@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
5 Nov 10
I have yet to see a local politician who I was impressed with enough that I would volunteer my time to help them get elected.
As far as general volunteering and fundraisers I've done a lot. When I lived in Orlando I used to work every Sunday in a soup kitchen with people from my church. On Wednesday nights I would volunteer at Give Kids the World for the Parent's Night Out program. I've donated blood consistently for over 14 years amounting to several gallons of blood (I think it's about 4). When I lived in Tampa I volunteered at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary.
Since my son has been born I haven't had anything that I would call "free time" so aside form giving blood, I haven't had much time for volunteer work. I did volunteer at the library here each week when I first moved to New Jersey since I didn't have a job yet and that worked out well for me. This Sunday I'll be at the "Up and Running" fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society along with my wife, and several of her cousins.
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
6 Nov 10
Good for you, taskr. Can your son participate in any of the charities with you? Or is he still too young?
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
6 Nov 10
Cool. I was thinking he could do some of the charity walks in his stroller or something.
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@irishidid (8687)
• United States
6 Nov 10
I vote, that's about it. Other than that I fill out papers, do taxes, etc. for the elderly and disabled.
@Gargi2010 (638)
• India
5 Nov 10
Hi
I also ready to help others besides that i am working my daily routines
Reagards
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@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
6 Nov 10
That is great. As Obama said, our most precious resource is our time.
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