To be a volunteer

To be a volunteer:

I am a volunteer with the Greater Derry Medical Reserve Corps. Actually, I am a team leader, but that makes me a volunteer all the same. Our purpose is to provide medical support to the community during times of crisis or emergency. The ice storms of 2008 allowed us to be deployed to the Londonderry Red-Cross Shelter and provide medical support and triage. At that time, many people, with specific medical needs that could not be met at a shelter, were admitted to the shelter and it caused many issues that my excellent team was able to combat and support. This year it was not quite as high in scale or maintenance.

It's incredibly difficult to volunteer like that, for extended periods of time. The stress levels are high, and the tension is constantly mounting. You never know what's going to happen next. However, when a kind elderly woman looks up at you with an earnest expression on her face, and says, "Thank you so much. God Bless You." It changes the world. It makes the long hours, and sleepless nights all worth it. It's like I am making good on my vow in a way that I cannot while I'm at work. I feel a sense of fulfillment like no other when I am busting my ass and not getting paid except in gratitude and the knowledge that I have done something completely for the benefit of someone else.

I would like to encourage everyone this year to volunteer and give something of yourself to another for no other reason than it might help them. Our country is in danger of losing its way, I fear. I think we have all forgotten the magic of giving to others without directly benefiting ourselves. Try it. You may get surprised by how it makes you feel.

Peace!