By Representative Jessica Fay
Doing something for someone else improves your life. No matter
what our age, we all feel better when we have a purpose and when we are helping
others. Volunteering with a community, town or social service organization can
provide an important outlet for that sense of personal fulfillment. This
is not just me saying it, studies have shown that volunteering is good for our
health, decreasing the risk of depression, reducing stress levels and keeping
people who volunteer more physically and mentally active.
Over these last few months I have found that volunteering has
been a lifeline for me and has helped me stay in touch with our community and
its needs. Even as we are more physically distant, I have found that we can
build community through volunteering.
I often hear from volunteers that they get more out of the
experience than they put in, and they are the lifeblood of our communities and
towns. Local governments couldn't function without good people giving of
themselves to run for office or serve on boards and commissions. Our libraries
and food pantries are staffed and run by those who give their time freely,
allowing them to operate with a minimal paid staff.
In these troubled times, lots of people need help and there are
many organizations both large and small that could use new volunteers. There
are also a lot of people who find that they suddenly have more time on their
hands and a need to interact safely with others. Volunteering can be a win-win
all around.
No special talents are required, just a willingness to learn and
the desire to help. Do you like to drive? Consider volunteering to deliver
Meals on Wheels. Do you like to garden? Participate in your local initiative to
beautify the community. Like to hike? Offer to help a land trust to maintain
trails. These are only a few of the many volunteer opportunities out there in
our community.
Our elections couldn't be held without volunteers. Many of the
people who work at the polls do so because they believe in our democracy,
because making sure that every vote counts is a civic duty.
Most people engaged in volunteerism don't do it for the
recognition, but because they want to give back to their communities, their
friends and their neighbors. These people deserve to be noticed, however. In
Maine, "The Spirit of America Award" recognizes community volunteers
who have gone above and beyond in service to their communities. In Raymond this
year the honor goes to Richard and Cleo Sanborn for their lifetime of
service on town boards and committees and for their strong sense of civic
responsibility. Congratulation on the award and thank you Richard and Cleo for
all you have done to make Raymond a better place!
Sadly, volunteerism has fallen off in the last years. The
reasons why are many. People are living and working in different communities,
they are working longer hours. Trying new things can also be hard. If you are
wondering whether volunteering is for you, sign up to help out at an event or
volunteer on a one time or trial basis, or offer to help on a project that you
notice needs doing. It will help your community and probably make
you feel good in the process.
Representataive Jessica Fay is serving her second term in the
Maine Legislature and represents parts of Casco, Poland and Raymond. She serves
on the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Inland
Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. <
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