It’s Time for You to Get Out and Volunteer [OPINION]

It's time to get motivated and get involved. We have countless organizations from the Sedalia Senior Center to political groups to church groups that want and need volunteers. Recently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor reported that about 62.6 million people volunteered through for an organization at least once between September 2012 and September 2013. The volunteer rate in 2013 was the lowest it has been since the report started in 2002.

I love volunteering whenever I get a chance because it gives me a chance to show my support in the community. Whether it be coaching Paul Klover soccer teams, placing flags at area cemeteries on Memorial Day, emceeing State Fair Community College Roadrunner Express, helping out at school functions with the kids or helping raise money for various non-profit groups in the area. I love it all.

There are so many benefits to getting involved, from helping our youth play sports and learn games such as football, baseball, basketball, soccer and golf. I remember the excitement from one of my players after he scored a goal the first time. He started the season as a beginner, and now he is quite the player.

You get the feeling of helping somebody out, such as groups like Meals on Wheels, who count on delivery people to get food out and those people have great interaction with those who need a meal. I loved how when I was in Kiwanis, we had a child safety seat inspection day and got to help people have an easy inspection with Sedalia Police and Fire Department nearby.

Volunteering can also allow you to work on skills that you are wanting to get more experience in. Let's face it, it's hard to get a job in this economy, and when an employer says you need to get more experience, what do you need to do? Go out and get that experience, whether it be volunteering for budget committee, public relations, fundraising or something else. This is an opportunity to not only make a difference in your community, but better yourself in the process.

You can also get the benefit of finding common ground with people you may not even know you have anything in common.  Maybe you decide to join Rotary, Lions Club, Kiwanis or some other group or organization to help you get to know a lot more people. They all stand for something different, but they have one thing in common: community building. Look around at our city and you're bound to see some of the work they've done over the years.

I've often said that Sedalia is a very giving town. It shows each year during fundraisers for Boys & Girls Club of West Central Missouri, Salvation Army and United Way. I appreciate those who have donated and contributed over the years, but I'm hopeful if you're reading this and you have never volunteered, take the time to do so.

You may say, "I don't have time." Make the time and see how it makes you feel and how it can influence and help others. You can easily look up events in our community calendar to find out about ways you can help in the community.