How do you contribute your time?

[oilcan]

I'm retired. I've done all the work to my properties and looking a way to contribute.
A (25ht) infantry vet, I thought driving vets to the docs would be OK, but can't hack the war stories.
How else do you guys/gals assist ?

[flyenby]

I also was in the 25th in Nam. 69-70 11 Bravo

[oilcan]

I just noticed that I posted the same subject twice. Blame it on the Dewars. Sorry, I guess.
I may be the first to admit to this indisgression.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by oilcan

I may be the first to admit to this indisgression.

LOL, hardly,

Where abouts do you live?

Opportunities for giving back are everywhere but depending on local, rural, suburban, urban, there will be differing types.

My wife is a pre-school teacher.

For a couple of years she had a Sr gentleman class volunteer.

He was a huge asset and he got as much, if not more, out of helping and reading to the little ones as they did.

[Seabear]

Oilcan,
Every Monday I drive for the DAV out of American Lake VA hospital, Lakewood, Wa. Only occasionally do any of the veterans want to talk about their service, and rarely are there war stories. I keep a pretty tight lid on any discussion that veers off to politics/race/religion, sports and news are the usual topics, if there is any talk at all.
I've done this for 2 1/2 years. It can be quite enjoyable or it can be aggravating at times, not all the riders are guys or gals you would want to have a beer with. But, as some of the veterans will tell you, it is their lifeline to medical care, and without this service they would not be able to get help. In the end, it is veterans helping veterans, and that, Sir, is a very good thing.
Good luck on your search to contribute, there are lots of opportunities through the VA Volunteer service or the Red Cross.

[Aggie93]

I'm a mentor for an organization similar to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, but focuses on kids with incarcerated parents. I think it is a great way to help a kid get/stay on the right track.

[crustychief]

I volunteer at the local military museum. we are curently restoring the last SBD-1 known to exist. https://www.flyingleathernecks.org/

[LakeCleElum]

Been retired over 10 years - Volunteer:

Chairman of the local county Civil Service Commission
Search and rescue - Communication Van operator, Snowmobile team and Off Road Veh Team.
On State Advisory Board for Winter Recreation - Snowmobile
On Executive Board of a Fraternal Organization with over 19,000 members in 26 countries.

And then, to stay busy, took a part time job this year as Deputy Coroner in my county...It pays by the call, made over $1,700 one weekend.

Around here, there are other opportunities with the US Forest Service, Red Cross, Hospital and the Sheriff's Citizen Patrol to name a few.

Let us know how it goes.....

[wildthing]

Not retired nor in military service but I play piano for the church choir 3x a month.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by oilcan

... I've done all the work to my properties ...

I do volunteer construction work or a couple non-profits.

Used to work with Habitat for Humanity, now mostly doing smaller repair jobs for elderly, single moms, people with limited mobility, yada yada....

Habitat for Humanity Int'l

Rebuilding Together

[LeeH]

I volunteer for a program through my local YMCA where we drive elderly (vet or not) to appointments and help with minor household repairs - light bulbs, air filters, etc. Off the charts gratitude from these folks.

I also work with the United Way. Their Project Connect is a one stop shop for helping the homeless. This once a month event allows homeless people come and get career counseling, haircuts, showers, clothes, minor medical care, food, etc. all in one location. I do bike repair, change tubes, tune ups for that event.

[look 171]

When I retire, I go back to riding a bicycle full time like I did in my early 20s, then I love to teach cabinet making or general home repairs to adult a couple of time a week at someplace. Don't know if such place exist. I don't want any pay to do this because if money is exchange somehow, headache will come along with that no matter how little change hands.

[Racerbvd]

When I can I help build Habitat for Humanity homes, help no-kill animal shelters & canine for warriors.

[craigster59]

I like to flyfish, so I donate time to Project Healing Waters. Helping disabled vets getting on the water and learning the art of the fly. It helps a lot with PTSD and other psych issues as well as helping those who are less than mobile.
Project Healing Waters > Home

[craigster59]

The kid has stepped up to the plate as well. A confirmed "Star Wars" geek, he built and put together his own "Tie Fighter" costume so he can join the 501st Division. A community of SW fans who dress up and visit hospitals and other kid's charity events.

This weekend they did a "buddy walk" with kids who have Down's Syndrome. They got together with the animal shelter and the kids got to walk around with dogs and Star Wars characters. Very proud.






Oh, and he's 6'7" so he is their 2nd string Darth Vader

[oilcan]

Thanks guys. Many good ideas. I'm going to look into Aggie's suggestion re: Big Brothers. I boat/fish/hunt/golf/read, etc. Things a kid might enjoy. All have a discipline in common. Thanks again.

[gary1101]

I volunteer twice a month at the Bob Hope USO at LAX. If you live near a military base or airport they usually have a USO. Very rewarding experience. My son used them all over the world and this is my give-back.

[recycled sixtie]

I volunteer as the Treasurer on the Board of a condo building(56 units). It is my second term of office. This term of office ends in February. It is an adult bldg. over 50. Mostly older women. We have a management co. who handles a lot of stuff. We sign the cheques
vote on decisions etc. Quite interesting actually but at the end of 2 years I need a break.

I recommend that if you live in a condo bldg. it is good to get involved. You can be a member at large or take the pres. , vp or treasurer position.

That said I prefer living in a house and our rental unit is a condo. Will avoid living in a condo as long as possible as we like the benefits of a garden and our privacy.

[RonDent]

It may not sound like volunteer work but it is. I work with the SCCA. I'm a Corner Marshal. I give up roughly 12 weekend of my time each year to work race tracks in the area and a few each year around the country. Its a tough job but somebody has to do it.

[VillaRicaGA911]

Might I suggest volunteering at a school? Particularly for males. I think this is most likely what I will do when in retirement but that is admittedly more than a few years away. I can say from first hand experience with my son when he was in kindergarten the teacher was a male. My wife and I noticed a huge positive impact on all the kids in his class from having a good strong male influence. I can only guess at the magnitude of increase this effect would have in sadly many situations today where a male influence is not in a kids home.