The Currency of Volunteerism, the Worthlessness of a Filled Resume, and Our Fantasy Government

I was in line at a car wash fund raiser last weekend.  One of our local parochial schools was trying to raise money for its kids.  As I waited I looked around at the volunteers.  Four adults were working hard soaping and shining the cars.  One adult was busy watching the younger kids who were holding signs, making sure they were not getting too close to the street.

 Five adults running a car wash, to me is a low participation.  I know how many students attend the school.  There are more than a few families.  I know it's summer.  People may be away on vacation.  But at times I'm sure people will say to themselves, "Someone else will do it."  I, too, am a parent who is recently struggling with doing my share for my child's school because of my work schedule.

Volunteers fill such an important gap in our society.  People helping people for free, with their free time is probably the best commodity that keeps us afloat.  Stay at home moms are critical.  They are a true gift.  Paid child care is helpful at times but they  will never replace  moms and dads.

Our nation started out with an all volunteer militia.  Congress members were paid per diem until 1815. I won't go into a long history lesson, but we go so much farther with good deeds when there is no money value placed on them. We know we will get nothing in our bank account, but we will have a thriving, happy community.

Schools don't run cheaply.  Payroll and insurance are the largest bills next to building repairs and utilities.  We haven't even mentioned children yet and how they will be educated.  Odd, isn't it?

Churches feed the poor and save souls, yet parking lots and AC units need much repair.

Disaster relief agencies need money.  The hands on work is provided by volunteers, but the equipment must be paid for.

Volunteer fire fighters donate their bodies every time they fight a fire, but the trucks, hoses, and oxygen tanks need to be paid for.

Even with health insurance, families need to fund raise for the out of pocket costs, traveling, etc when someone has a chronic illness.

So, the car washes, pasta dinners, raffles book sales, garage sales need volunteers to keep our communities together.  It's this giving spirit that wins.  We feel connected and we meet people's needs.

Now, enter the recent conventions that just ended. Thank goodness.  The Republican and Democrat nominees made so many promises to us, for our votes, of course.  It's such a long laundry list of wants.  To me, it's unbelievable how we have so many unmet needs.  These unmet needs have been unmet for generations.  Do you see the poor logic here?  When did we become so helpless?

Okay, I understand, we are taxed in crazy ways for things we don't need.  The waste is huge.  The majority of it is unconstitutional.  (Just to remind you.) We pay  federal taxes and a great deal of the funds do not come back to our local communities.  Much of this happens with our state taxes, as well.

Can we step up our volunteerism to show we are self-sufficient?  Can we tell the government we don't want all the trappings of their promises of grants and federal aid?  Can we use our money the way we see fit?  That's the ultimate question.

 I remember a time in my life when college was my priority.  I had at least two part time jobs, if not three at times.  I told myself I was sacrificing for my future.   I was so engrossed in my future, I didn't volunteer for anything.  I was working and studying all the time. Well, now my future is here and I ask myself, was it worth it?  I need to make up for lost time, because I was not a part of my community.  I was an invisible citizen, keeping to myself and doing nothing for others.

At my age now, I see filling a resume is just robbing you of your self.  Jobs come and go.  You are no longer recognized for your loyalty.  Experience and education are necessary, but surely overrated.  How many students commit suicide due to sheer exhaustion and meeting frilly expectations of society or demanding parents?

The volunteer spirit has made our communities great and we must always be charitable with our free time. I will not deny that life has challenges. Our time is constrained by jobs and family responsibility.  But it is necessary to volunteer and help our closest neighbors, as well as teach this to our children by example and involving them.  We need to provide comfort to each other while we are on this side of eternity.