Norma Logan is the Literacy Coordinator at the Morrill Memorial Library. Read Norma Logan's column in the May 28, 2015 edition of the Norwood Transcript and Bulletin.
Most people think of volunteerism in conjunction with hospitals, the Red Cross, animal shelters, or overseas agencies. There are many more volunteer opportunities than these and varied reasons for people who seek them out. I am interested in volunteerism because I train and work with literacy volunteers in the Literacy Volunteer Program at the Norwood Library, and I, myself, was once a volunteer tutor.
I can remember when President John F. Kennedy spoke the famous line, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” The meaning of that went beyond the idea of volunteering, but it reflected the concept of giving of oneself to better mankind and society.
Volunteering is foreign and strange to many of our English as a Second Language adult students whom we serve in the literacy program. Their countries and cultures do not have the luxury of promoting the practice. I tutored a Korean woman who was anxious to bring the idea back to her country.
Volunteering, for sure, is not for everyone. Many people wait until they retire or use it as fill in while looking for a job. Some think it will look good on a resume. Whatever reason, it is natural to choose a volunteer environment where the person feels most comfortable, whether it be education, healthcare, animals, etc. One of our tutors is going to join the Peace Corps next year and another tutor periodically travels to other countries to volunteer.
I’ve sought out some interesting books on volunteering that are inspiring and educational at the same time. In “The Third Wave: A Volunteer Story”, Alison Thompson begins her tale by relating her experience volunteering during and after the 9/11 attack in New York City. I have heard and read many stories about that day, but her experience was especially poignant, and it put her on the path to helping others in need for many years.
Alison went on to go to Asia in 2004 to help with first aide in a makeshift hospital after the earthquake/tsunami. She and other volunteers set up a tsunami warning system for the future of the country.
She later went to Haiti to help after the devastating earthquake in 2010. Her experiences and skills learned from the 9/11 tragedy and the Asian tsunami made her a professional volunteer in disaster areas. Alison ultimately advises people to “be the brightest light you can be, and lead the way in the dark.”
“Wide Open World” by John Marshall tells the story of how volunteering around the globe for 6 months changed his family’s lives and their relationships to each other. As he quotes from Martin Luther King and echoes President Kennedy’s sentiments, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”
One does not have to travel far like Alison or John to experience the value of volunteerism. The Norwood Library offers opportunities in its Literacy Department and Outreach Department. If volunteerism appeals to you, call today (Literacy at 781-769-4599) or (Outreach at 781-769-0200 x228) and explore the possibilities.
