I think it has a lot to do with the way you're raised. Growing up, my parents, although busy with work and raising four kids, were always teaching, coaching and giving back. During my first job, I realized that since I was far from family, I didn't have homework anymore and I'm not into working out or anything crazy like that, I had a lot of free time. So I delivered Meals on Wheels to some seniors in Northern Michigan. Although I was helping them get a warm meal for the day, I got a lot out of it myself. I learned about the up's and down's of the community. I saw pictures from decades earlier of landmarks in the town. I shared in the good health and poor health of my seniors and I was sad to move away when a new job came calling.
My next job, in Lima, Ohio, brought many different volunteering efforts. I helped tutor city school kids, I worked a few Girl Scout events, I was even a part of the local Italian club (hard to believe, I know!) Each group had such a different dynamic, I found myself discovering things about the community in which I was living and working that I probably couldn't have discovered any other way.
So it was with excitement I received an email from James McIlrath (he's a part of Myrtle Beach Civitan Club) inviting me to one of their meetings. I accepted his invite and attended their lunch meeting yesterday at the Dunes Club. What a great group of people! They were laughing and enjoying each other's company, congratulating each other on past accomplishments while looking towards their future events with excitement. At the end, they invited me attend some of their events and see what the group is all about. I'm glad to have been invited and I hope to be able to volunteer and see some of their great efforts play out. I think volunteering is a great way to get in touch with the community and learn about what is really going on. And if nothing else, it's a great way to spend your free time!
Hopefully, I'll have more to write about the Myrtle Beach Civitan Club in future postings!
The Myrtle Beach Civitan Club was founded in 1939. It is a local civic organization made up of men and women who are dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.
We meet for lunch at 1:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month at The Dunes Club. Any viewers who would like to find out more information can contact me!
Posted by: James McIlrath | August 27, 2008 at 02:50 PM