lenday: I volunteer no less than 10 - 15 hours a week for our local snowmobile club. While not considered a "charitable" cause, we do support various organizations in the community such as The Shelter House for the homeless, Easter Seal Society, and the Lung Association. Our mandate is to provide recreational snowmobile trails that provide safe trails for use by local and "touring" sledders. As past secretary, treasurer, vice president, and president, I now serve as an Area Trail Coordinator, responsible for ensuring trails are ready to ride when the first snows hit (usually mid November). I find the task highly rewarding as you meet so many new people. I highly recommend those that have never volunteered to do so!

shprockets: Though it's not a traditional "non-profit," I am a reserve Deputy Sheriff. This means that I put myself (at my own expense) through a police academy and that I volunteer my time keeping my community safe. I have the same legal responsibility as a paid law enforcer (and the same physical and emotional risks!) and I do it all for free and in my spare time. I put in from 30-60 hours a month.

anika: Givng back to your community should be the first thing a person does when he/she has accomplished a set goal. One needs to share his/her experiences with other so that others may learn "the ropes". Haven't you heard the old saying, "Tis' better to give than to receive".

gilly: I'm president of the Nonprofit Outreach Network, Inc., which makes web pages for nonprofits. I love the work because not only is if fun, I get to help people and work with some fabulous groups.

TexasBoots: There is fulfillment in sharing with others the skills and knowledge I have obtained. Tutoring has become my favorite hobby. Participating in community associations keeps both my mind and body busy, keeping me young in spirit.

cgmoore: I'm the webmaster (since 6/94) of AdoptioNetwork (recently awarded "top 5% of the web") and active in adoptive family support organizations.

HeidiF: I worked for two years teaching classes at the Braille Institute in Santa Barbara, CA and now I work on a suicide hotline where we also do general counseling and information referral. I find my volunteer work very rewarding, and believe that everyone should participate in some way. Many organizations have opportunities for people who can only spare 1 hour a week. I have been volunteering at various non-profit organizations for 10 years, and it's a very important part of my life. It helped me get scholarships to college, and I met lots of wonderful people.

JasonS: I am a college student at a small liberal arts college in a rural Pennsylvania town. Although many in today's society believe that most college study do not care about the helping others. This is totally WRONG. The many fraternal and non-profit organizations on this campus direct their interests to community service. There is an office on campus organized especially to coordinate programs with outside agencies and the students. Recently many campus organizations participated in a program called "Into The Streets," where college students spent their Saturday helping individuals and agencies in the surrounding communities. My group aided AMERICORPS in renovating a youth care center. This type of activities occurs continuously through-out the semester on also at many colleges and universities nation wide!!!

arl: As the Executive Director of an arts organization for adults with disabilities, I'm keenly aware of the importance of volunteerism. In these changing times of less government participation, those organizations with strong volunteer corps will weather the storm.

Sparky: I'm actively involved with Habitat for Humanity for a lot of reasons: I like what they do and how they operate, and I like to help my own community and see the results of my efforts. Also, I strongly agree with the statement "From those who have much, much is expected." I realize that I'm extremely fortunate to have good health, and the opportunity to help my neighbors. I also believe in the statement, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." Who knows, in five years I may need help, and I'd like to think there will be people around to lend me a hand.

romer: I am the President of the Board of the local, non-profit Montessori pre-school and childcare. It has been a very educational and rewarding experience.

BATMAN: I am a member of a Volunteer EMS unit because I felt that I should contribute some sort of service to my community. Being able to help someone and not do it for money I think can be a pretty satisfying experience.

Dickj: What began as court ordered community service soon turned into a vocation. You may think I'm kidding but who can say that reform is absent in the judicial system. I now feel challenged to again commit time to children that don't even belong to me. I like it.... and will continue to give.

LCohen: I do some volunteer work because I think helping your fellow human beings is a good thing to do. However! In my experience as a customer (at a local non-profit day care center) they seem to have the attitude they they are doing the world a favor simply by existing. After paying a high monthly fee, they still wanted me to help them raise money, volunterr time, then wouldn't give me a refund when I mistakenly paid for part of a month when I wasn't going to use their services. I think a profit making center would never treat paying customers so shabbily.

swampgirl: I donate to the Human Rights Coalition, and I'm planning to join HRC's Field Action Network. I've also been toying with the idea of donating time at the local meal delivery service for AIDS patients.

saltor: Optimist Club Past President, current board member, current Youth Baseball Commissioner. In Annapolis, MD, youth baseball is the place to be to help our divided community come together, racially. Volunteering is my "other" job and stems from my sixties roots. Get your priorities straight: family, community, then money.

Kimmy: I have worked with Amnesty International for almost ten years now. I have also volunteered with various organizations over the past few years, including a women's centre, UNICEF, community radio, Habitat for Humanity, coaching, refereeing, in a food co-op, and as a literacy/ESL tutor. I also donate money to a foster child in Guatemala, a women's research hospital, women's shelters, and Amnesty International regularly. I do these things because I think everyone should. I am usually surprised when people call me a "do-gooder" or something. No matter how much you give, you will always find that you receive even more in return.

mandel: I am the president of Israel Ju Jitsu Full Contact Association (I.J.J.F.C.A.). The Association is non-profit organization. I do donate money to non-profit groups who deals with illness and poverty.

chanticleer: I am a former Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer who worked several national & local disasters. Due to work pressures, I have forgone that to now join and support CPSR, EFF, helped start a local freenet, and frequently speak publicly on securing constitutional rights in the online world, as well as donate consulting time to local schools and non profits.

Elisabet: I'm involved in the Red Cross and I write letters for Amnesty. I also donate money when I am able to. It's not a matter about whether you have the time or not, it's about taking the time.

Copper: Nothing wrong with it! We need SOME compassion in our society today!!!

lobster: I donate much time to nonprofits serving on their board of trustees and volunteering some of my time in fundraising and policy issues. If democracy is going to work and be sustainable, the nonprofit sector is one place where democratic values can be lived out daily, not just at the voting booth (as important as that is).

Crambo: I do a number of things for non-profits and/or not-for-profits. I give a lot of my time to a few organizations in the D.C. area that are related to international student exchange - from hosting, serving on scholarship selection committees, conducting orientations meetings, hosting diners, to evaluating applications. I also give a lot of time to an international computer user group. From time to time I also give my time and talent to a few school related activities which are not given funding by the school district - recently this included serving as a science fair competition judge. On occasion I\'ve volunteered for special events conducted by national non-profit organizations, when the special event was in D.C. and the organization needed help. I know from experience that volunteer activities are rewarding/enriching experiences for me. Yet at the same time, I\'m contributing my physical being to organizations which are the foundation of what make America strong, for various tasks that need to be done by these groups. The level of activity and volunteerism that has historically been witness in America is unique in the world. Volunteerism for selfless non-profit SERVICE groups help to keep our country prosperous, democratic, and competitive on the world economy. However, the trend toward greed and self-centered behaviour have undermined volunteerism, and thus the very fabric of what drives America as a nation which has stood out among others. Too often corporate-centric, profit-at-all-costs, make-all-you-can, eliminate-all-competition, the-heck-with-the-future, and individualistic attitudes are currently fostered in the U.S. as \'the way toward prosperity\' and even as a way of defending the country. Witness the militia groups (mis-termed), religious coalition groups (mis-termed), political-freedom groups (mis-termed) and isolationists, which all espouse their self-centered views in the name of America - but in fact, are at the core of everything which is anti-American.

earthcrone: My volunteer work has been mostly in the areas of the homeless in Atlanta and with various aspects of AID Atlanta, from soup kitchens to teaching volunteer classes, and from impersonal duties like monitoring the annual massive AIDS walk to working as a practical support volunteer to some very sick folks, giving their caregivers a break. It is so strange; each time I started something new, I was rather terrified, I guess of the unknown. It didn't take long to realize that I was not being graded on this, that I wouldnt screw anything up, and that I got back a lot more than I gave. (I know everybody says that about volunteer work, but it's true.) I certainly increased my capacity for compassion, re-ordered my priorities as to what makes up a "good" person, discovered how insidious politics is, and, in general, found my self vastly enriched by the experiences and the people I worked with. I haven't got much money to spare, but I tend to "join" organizations with a $10-$35 membership fee in ord er to receive the newsletters, sign petitions, etc. These organizations tend to be political in nature, such as environmental and health care issues. Now that I am getting old enough that my physical energy is more limited, my volunteer time is usually a "special event" occasion, rather than a weekly stint, and I regret that my own health has necessitated this. But I urge anyone who has never tried it to give it a chance. I suspect volunteering will enhance their lives much as it did mine.

GenesisParty: Rock on This is the only way to go.

TigerLily: I love working with the American red Cross, United way, and others. My favorite project right now is teaching HIV/AIDA education to all age groups. The training was free and all my classes are free to the public. I have taught 7th graders, The boys dorm at my college and others.

Lakean: I have done a lot of non-profit work in the past and even belonged to the Volunteer Club in high school. Right now I am in the process of trying to decide what agency I would like to volunteer with as their are so many out there.

tony: I used to do a lot of volunteering, but I have to admit that I've stopped. I really enjoyed it, but I got out of the habit -- and it's hard to give up some of your time, even if you know you'll be happy that you did it. Right now I send some money to my local public radio station, but that's about all. Like most people, I'd really like to do more.

bpeabody: I'm a fan of one on one volunteer work. i think that's the best way to make a difference. i'm a member of big brothers/big sisters and highly reccomend it.

kennyo: I donate to a local group "Families Who Care" a non-profit organization who has a support group for families and friends of people with AIDS. I do my donating through United Way of Greater Los Angeles. I also send a yearly donation to a Los Angeles PBS station.Sat Mar 9 02:12:35 EST 1996

TonyBaker: Many people complain about whats happening with our youth today, but very few are willing to do something about it. You'd be surprised how a few hours a week can change the life of a young person. It doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen. You'd be surpised at the joy you receive by giving your time. No money, no thing, is as important as your attention in the eyes of our future.

dygolf: I am a director of two non-profit organizations and participate in their programs in addition to board activities. I volunteer at the local library and donate to public radio as well as other local charities.

sandyjoy: I very proudly work for a non-profit organization and plan to work for a non-profit as far ahead as I can see. Corporate America is the ludicrous endpoint of the worst elements of greed and social irresponsibility inherent in capitalism (which I'm not saying is an entirely bad system overall). No one needs four times their age as a salary while there are people starving only a few blocks away. I'm not against a person pulling themselves up by their bootstraps, but there has to be a way to give back to society after you've managed to earn enough to live on comfortably. As an employee, the pay at a n-p is peanuts, but I can sleep nights knowing I'm doing some small good, even though I don't have the time to volunteer elsewhere, though I want to.