Anyone do Charity work?????

by whyamihere 27 Replies latest jw friends

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  whyamihere

  I am glad that there are people out there like you guys. As a JW I never cared about what the Elders(etc) thought(really I didn't). I have been involved with many ongoing Charitable events. Salvation Army, has gotten alot of money from school fundraising I participated in.

  These were my most favorite memories, as a teen. Special Olympics were one of my favorites. I remember this one kid(17) after winning 5th place in a race was so excited he picked me up swung me around and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

  I want my kids to have moments of pure joy from helping others. It's not just about giving it is about sharing in a moment of pure innocence and being rewarded with a memory.

  Brooke
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  LennyinBluemont

  This is an interesting thread. One day last August, as I was driving back from the post office, I saw a sign that said: "Volunteers Needed. Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department." So, at 55 years of age, I am halfway through firefighter academy, due to graduate end of June. I so wish I had started when I was in my 20's to do something like this. But for 30 years instead I was serving the WT. Oh well, better late than never. I highly recommend the volunteer fire fighting or EMS services to anyone in their community. It's also helped to re-establish "community" for me as I get to know all the folks who give so freely of their time and, unlike the JWs, daily risking their very lives to help others.

  Uncle Lenny
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  Uzzah

  I volunteered as a Reed Cross Disaster Services volunteer for about 4 years. they then offered me the job of running the entire program.
  One year of volunteering did more for my sense of worth and feeling like I gave something back to the community than did 32 years as a JW.
  Find something you love. Volunteer to do it! The rewards are amazing!
  Uzzah
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  Mary

  Brooke said: I feel that it is important to raise my children in this type of environment, so that they see outside of the box, and not be so closed minded on our surroundings. Many are in need, and it is easy to close our eyes and forget.

  And your Dub sister said you're a horrible mother? I think that there is nothing better than to teach children at an early age how to be charitable.

  I can't speak for everyone, but for me, I feel a heck of a lot better when I do charity work for those who are truly needy, as opposed to trying to sell the Craptower and Asleep magazines Saturday mornings. Years ago when I was still in the Borg, I used to make up a batch of homemade soup on Tuesdays and take it to a Homeless Shelter. The elders found out and strongly discouraged me from doing that because it wasn't nearly as important as Service. Ya, I hear the WT magazine tastes just like chicken soup when you add water to it.

  There's a Second Hand Clothing store downtown where they have really great sales twice a year. I will go and buy a bunch of clothes for children, men and women (some of them are really good quality), take them home, wash them, iron them and take them Shelters or the Salvation Army. Also, when we have receptions at work (I have to organize everything), there's always lots of food left over. For several years, I wasn't paying any attention and I assume that the kitchen staff was simply throwing it all away. This past year, I've left instructions for them to pack up all the leftovers and I picked it up the next morning and took it to a men's hostel.

  It's a shame that the WTS doesn't promote charity work. They could really do a lot of good if they wanted to.
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  sass_my_frass

  Good on you Brooke! You should definitely get active on things that you're interested in. Being a JW, the only thing you're supposed to be interested in is the kingdom, and the only way to get active about that is to go out on the preach. When I started doing volunteer work JW friends would tell me it's such a waste of time, but it's one of the best things in my life! I've done camps for kids, taken adults with disabilities out, lots of conservation work, sports work...and recently Mr Frass set up his own charity to set up wind- and solar-power kits in remote areas. We put a computer lab into a school in Fiji, and gave light to a whole village that can't afford to run a generator. That is leaving a mark on the world; and it's so great to care about something that's important, and not just a fantasy paradise land.
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  EAGLE-1

  United Way

  Council battered women
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  deeskis

  ((((brookie)))), you go girl, and make sure you're wearing those hotdiggity shoes too!

  I've been involved with various volunteer groups for several years now and find it brings an inner happiness. I still deliver meals on wheels regularly.

  Looking glass, after reading your profile resume i'm shocked that you have time for anything else in your life............hehe
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  Pleasuredome

  i couple of years ago not long after leaving the jws, i thought about giving some of my time to charity to help out with whatever, but then i realised i was only doing it to make myself feel good. so i didnt bother. i guess my charity work is what i do for people in my own way whenever someone needs help.
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  Fleur

  Its not a full time commitment with me, i only do it because my other half suggested it and twisted my arm but I don't get paid to do it.

  Of course you don't get paid, that's why it's called volunteering! LOL :) try to look at it as giving back for the blessings you have in your life...and do it with a smile, and you'll be surprised that the payback you get cannot be measured or quantified in terms of money. It's priceless.

  Brooke, your SO storie brought tears to my eyes! I have known several Downs kids that competed in Special Olympics and they are so loving and grateful and affectionate. They're beautiful souls.

  There is nothing more joyful than the day your child comes to you with a charity idea of their own, and then they follow through on it, at their own time and expense of things that are meaningful to them. That has happened to me twice, and with the help of good people we made her wishes of giving come true, and she talks about doing it again, all the time. It's so much more satisfying than the thought of teaching her to peddle magagines for the great publishing empire! Okay, there's a typo there but it's funny so I'm leavin it LOL.

  Uzzah...so happy to see you! I've missed you! Drop me an email sometime, will you stranger? The addys' still the same.

  I hope this thread inspires more ex-jw's to find their giving passion and persue it. If anybody needs ideas how to get started in their state or has a particular cause they're interested in but don't know how to get started, drop me a PM I may be able to help with some info. I've gathered quite a list of charities and contacts over the years :)

  Uncle Lenny; you totally rock. I think that is about the coolest thing I have read in I don't know how long. Good for you, man! You're amazing!

  hugs to all

  essie
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  White Waves

  I volunteered at area animal shelter for a while - guilt (JW induced and programmed) is still a factor. I would love to work with Habitat for Humanity or another hands-on project.