Sometimes the greatest gifts we can give don’t come wrapped in a box. They come in the form of our time, talents and willingness to help someone else.
At Mays Mission for the Handicapped, we have seen firsthand how caring people can make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Volunteers strengthen communities, encourage people who may be facing difficult circumstances and remind us that even a small act of kindness can have a much greater impact than we realize.
There’s a Way for Everyone to Help
Volunteering doesn’t have to mean making a huge commitment. There are countless ways to use the abilities you already have to serve others.
You might volunteer at a local food pantry, church or community organization. You could visit someone who is elderly or homebound, help a neighbor with errands or yard work, participate in a community cleanup, assist at a special event, or share a skill you’ve developed over the years.
You can also look for opportunities to support people with disabilities in your community. Offer assistance to an organization that serves individuals with disabilities, help make a community event more inclusive, advocate for accessibility, or simply take the time to include and encourage someone who might otherwise be overlooked.
Young people can get involved, too. Volunteering as a family is a wonderful way to teach children about compassion, responsibility and the importance of helping others.
Your Abilities Can Be a Gift
One of the wonderful things about volunteering is that nearly everyone has something to contribute. You don’t need special training or a lot of money. Sometimes what is needed most is simply a willing heart.
Perhaps you’re good at organizing, cooking, repairing things, working with computers, gardening or talking with people. Maybe you can provide transportation, write a letter of encouragement or spend an hour visiting someone who could use a friend.
Whatever your talents may be, there is probably someone who could benefit from them.
That idea reflects a belief that has guided Mays Mission for more than 50 years. Our founder, E.W. Mays, often reminded us:
“It’s ability, not disability, that counts!”
Volunteering gives each of us an opportunity to put our own abilities into action for the benefit of others.
Discover “The Spirit of Giving”
If you would like more ideas and encouragement for making a difference, Mays Mission offers a helpful brochure called “The Spirit of Giving.”
We would be happy to send you free copies for yourself, your family, church, civic group, school or community organization.
Simply call or email Mays Mission and ask for your free copy of “The Spirit of Giving.” If you would like several copies to share with others, just let us know.
Together, we can help keep the spirit of giving alive—one volunteer, one act of kindness and one life touched at a time.
