386 - Have you ever done volunteer work?

A lot of people give monetary donations to their favorite charities on a monthly basis, or at Christmas time.

Non-profit organizations depend on donations and volunteers to help help support their cause and keep the organization alive.

It's honorable to cut a check, which every charity needs, but have you ever worked as a volunteer?

I became a Big Sister, as part of the Big Brother Big Sister Organization, in 2015.

My Little (Sister) was 9 at the time. She just celebrated her 16th birthday.

I'm not sure which one of us gets more from our meetings. To give a few hours of your team each week to help others is more meaningful than you can imagine.

We meet every week for a few hours, except for summer break when she goes to camp.

Together, we have volunteered at the local theater as ushers and hand out programs, gone to the annual dog show and attended the cowboy breakfast, where my Little met the Mayor and the Sheriff.

There's a nature walk along the Guadalupe River and picnic tables where we can sit and play games. We hang out at the library, shop at the local farmers market and visit local events on weekends.

The beautiful thing about volunteering is that there is a niche for everyone.

You can give your time at an animal shelter, mentoring children, spending time with the elderly, building homes or planting gardens. I haven't scratched the surface.

When you volunteer, you meet amazing people. You grow through volunteer work.

If you're considering volunteer work, do some research first.

I recommend researching any organization you donate money or time to. You can learn a lot about different organizations at: https://www.charitynavigator.org

Have you ever done volunteer work?