Making a Contribution: The Blessing of Being a Volunteer

“From my early school days, I was brought up with the belief that we have a duty to use our talents, to volunteer and to make a contribution. ”
~ Michael Hintze

It started with a simple booth at a fair and eager children wanting to play with kittens. What developed was more than I could have imagined. This summer, our daughters became active volunteers at a local neonatal kitten hospital, and our lives might never be the same.

Volunteering at the hospital has taught our children much in a short time. From taking medical courses in zoonosis to feeding classes, we’ve learned a great deal over this past summer. Alongside technical aspects of working in the hospital, our children have learned to cultivate a heart of service. We’ve gained an appreciation for the hard work which goes into caring for these sweet animals each and every day; the dedication both staff and other volunteers have in meeting needs.

We’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the loveliest people. From working professionals to grandparents, you never know who you’re going to be serving with. (One gentleman spent part of his morning explaining the art of breeding rare pythons, his full-time business.) From the techs at the hospital to the youngest person serving, we’ve learned a lot.

Most importantly, our children have been given hands-on experience with making a contribution. Through the work we are doing at the hospital, our children are actively learning to put aside their own desires to think of other people and God’s creation. The Lord is using this time to open their eyes to needs around them, to which they otherwise were blind. They’ve learned the value of hard work outside our home, the need to work together, and the joy of a job well done.

The days spent at the shelter have given our children a wealth of knowledge and a heart of service. I know these days will never be forgotten, nor will the many lessons learned. May the Lord continue to cultivate a heart of service in each of us.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”
~ I Peter 4:10

 Chime In!: Is volunteer work a regular part of your homeschooling routine?

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