My son is fourteen and has been volunteering through Hands on Greater Portland since he was eight. I felt that is was important to teach my child from a young age that even though we sometimes feel like we are going without, we are very fortunate, and it is our duty to help out others in need.

Hands On has created a "home" for all my volunteering needs. My son and I can browse the calendar and select opportunities to volunteer that meet both our interests. We don't have to call around or look online for a given activity, as there is such a variety available through Hands On that it's usually guaranteed that we can find something we are both interested in signing up for.
 

Being a single parent and working full-time, it is not always easy to find the time and energy to devote to volunteering. Between sports and school and work and home, it sometimes feels like my time is too limited. As a single parent, I sometimes feel like I'm stretched too thin and just need a moments peace, however, I have found that volunteering helps me take my mind off my otherwise hectic and oftentimes stressful life, while spending time with my child. It is a great way to stay connected with your child, as you both work towards a goal while directly helping someone else. My son and I spend the drive home from each volunteer project discussing how it went and I am always excited to hear his comments about how good he feels from helping out. He might not always be interested in giving up his Saturday afternoon to volunteer, but he never leaves an event thinking it was a waste of time. Donating two-four hours of one day a month is such a small amount to give but it makes a big difference to the agencies we help. Hands on Greater Portland project leaders are wonderful about explaining the importance of the project and we always feel greatly appreciated when volunteering.

 

Volunteering keeps me grounded and I believe in the concept of "paying it forward." I hope that I have instilled in my son a belief that helping others serves the community at large and even one person can make a difference in the world.