SheSue Experience » volunteer

Sing for Those in Need

SheSue — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:33:07 +0000

Just as your mother’s singing brought you comfort when you were a baby, your voice today can bring compassion to those who are struggling. Kate Munger, founder of the Threshold Choir in the Bay Area, has found joy through singing all her life. It began when her mother sang to her as a child. She took up the practice of singing in Girl Scouts and school. In 1975, she began writing and leading singing rounds groups. Finally, it was singing for her dying friend that helped to forge the idea for the first all female Threshold Choir.

Singing Maiden

Munger got past her fear of computers and was able to reach out and find other women to join her first choir. Since March of 2000, communicating mostly through the Internet, choirs have been formed all over the country. These choirs sing at the bedsides of those dying, those recovering, people in comas and newborns in intensive care. Some people they sing for only once, others the choir goes back many times.

Choirs are made up of either a pair of women or a small group. They sing in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and private homes. The choirs practice at least twice a month. The music they sing is up to the family or caregiver depending on musical taste, spiritual direction or physical capacity. Songs include rounds, chants, lullabies, hymns, spirituals and classical choral music.

To become a member, you need to be female, be able to carry a tune and be able to commit to a minimum of six months. According to Munger, the main criterion for membership is, “feeling a shiver down your back at hearing about the Choir”.

If you have a passion for singing, go to Threshold Choir to find more information about choir locations and how to join.

Just Like Linus, Kids Find Security With Blankets

SheSue — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:36:58 +0000

I’m always on the lookout for great soul food and I have found another one: Project Linus, Providing security through blankets. In 1995, Karen Loucks read an article in Parade magazine about a child going through chemotherapy who had a blanket that helped her through it all. The idea for Project Linus was born.

Since then, Project Linus has grown with chapters in nearly every state in the United States with over 3 million blankets given out. Blankets can be quilted, knit, crocheted, sewn or tied. They can be any size, made for children going through trauma from ages 0-18. The website offers free patterns for blankets if you need a place to start. Don’t know how to quilt or knit, you can also donate supplies.

The mission of Project Linus is two-fold. They want to provide a blanket for every child going through some sort of trauma and they want to provide you a sense of “feel good” by giving of your time. Check out their website for information on becoming Blanketeer!

Pass it Forward

SheSue — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:03:12 +0000

How would you feel if you were able to help someone who is less fortunate, accepting nothing in return. We’ve all heard of pass it forward. Someone does something nice for you, you do something nice for someone else. There was a movie with a tragic ending about a young boy who made pass it forward quite famous.

Now there is an entire community who works toward passing it forward. It’s called We, the World. Through their website, you can set up a program that is designed to assist people in some way. They will hook you up with 99 other people to assist you with your project and help you put your program into existence.

Not sure what you want to do? That’s what the mentor program is for. You can sign up for a 30 minute private mentor chat. You will be asked to answer some questions beforehand so that the mentor will have a better idea of what you want to accomplish and what skills you want to use.

Are you an artist? Perhaps you can teach art classes or create works of art to donate. Just think of how much beauty you could spread around if 99 other artists also gave their time or work. No idea what to do, no worries. They have lots of ideas and stories from those who have developed successful programs. The program doesn’t have to be some huge Red Cross program. The whole pass it forward idea stemmed from one person doing one kind act.

Once you have a program under your belt, you can mentor others to do the same; passing it forward once again. Not only do you help the less fortunate, but you pass on your ideas to someone else to develop yet another program.

Deep down, I think we all would like to give of ourselves, but we’re not sure how to go about it. I am attempting to do that through my blog. I want everyone to understand that you don’t have to live a cookie cutter life. Get out there in the world. See what life has to offer. Live the life you want. Your body will thank you. Then go out and pass it forward.

Katrina’s Angels – Help Natural Disaster Victims

SheSue — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:20:37 +0000

I love finding new volunteer opportunities. Nothing feeds the soul like helping others. Since I don’t have a lot of time, I tend to stick with opportunities that can be done from home.

After Hurricane Katrina, I wanted to jump in my car and run to the rescue. Natural disasters seem to tug at the heart of many. You can’t even imagine losing everything you own. You wonder how these victims survive. Without lots of volunteers, they probably wouldn’t. That’s where you come in. You can help and you don’t even have to leave your home.

Katrina’s Angels is one of many non-profit agencies that offer assistance to victim’s of natural disasters, but their organization is primarily run off a website. Here are some of the positions you can do from home:

1. Community Angel – Search the Internet, type emails, enter data, make contacts with your community looking for resources for the website. In the case of a natural disaster in your area, you may help find local businesses who are willing to donate items.

2. Community Coordinator – Coordinate volunteers in your area. Identify agencies and resources in your community who can help after a disaster. Find places that have water, food, ice, shelter, tarps, and medical care. You may work with the survivors of a disaster, matching them to the resources they need.

3. Fund Raising Angels – Non-profits are always in need of fund raising. Katrina’s Angels relies on the generosity of others to keep going. Start a fund raising effort on the Internet or find a fun way to generate funds.

4. Grant Writer Angels – Research companies that offer funds to victims of natural disasters. Interview with the companies, secure information about the company and write grant proposals for the grant writing team at Katrina’s Angels.

5. Media Angels – Looking for creative types: writers, journalists, graphic designers. You may write press releases, articles, create web pieces, create press packets for the media, write for the blog, design fliers or posters.

6. Resource Angels – Develop lists of resources for survivors such as food, clothing or utilities. Enter these resource listings into the web based library.

7. Technology Angels – If you have web development experience, you can provide your expertise in developing the website and keeping it up and running.

To find out how you can help Katrina’s Angels, go to their website.