Thanksgiving: Thank a volunteer today

In this season of thanks, let’s all take a long look around us at the people, leaders and volunteers who give of their time and talents to help better our families and communities.  How many different activities are your kids involved in? How often do you run across a volunteer in your day-to-day life?

Have you thanked a Volunteer today?
Even better, take a minute and see if you can do something for that volunteer, offer your time, and become a volunteer for a day in the life of the volunteers of YOUR life!


• Scouts—If your kids are in Girl or Boy Scouts, ask the leader what you can do to help in December with service or holiday themed meetings. Can you shop for supplies, help with a service project, bring snacks or rally parents for a troop potluck?  Help from work by offering to setup a free online signup sheet making it easier for more parents to pitch in and help.
  
   
• Clubs-- What types of after school activities or clubs are your kids involved in? Piano lessons? Chess Team? Choir, Band, Debate, Drama, etc…?  Send each of the teachers or volunteers a special thank you note for their time and effort and ask them how you can help.  Maybe they could use extra hands setting up before the kids get there, or cleaning up afterwards? You AND your kids can pitch in, and that will help your kids appreciate what these teachers do for them!
  
   
• Team Sports—Fall sports are winding down and winter teams are getting into gear; think about all the time your kid’s coach spent teaching and encouraging your child with volleyball, swim team, soccer or peewee football…. Give your coach a call and say Thank You! Offer to help organize an end-of-season celebration – anything from a simple treat to a small party.
  
   
• Worship Leaders—From Sunday School teachers to Youth Group Leaders, Pastors, Choir Leaders and Committee Chairs, find a way to say thank you this year to the important people in your world of worship. A simple face-to-face thank you or handwritten note of appreciation speaks volumes and feels great.
  
   
• Nonprofit Volunteers—What organizations and causes are important to you and your family?  Call and ask how you can help – often nonprofits need extra hands during the holiday season. If they don’t need your service directly, consider baking a treat, writing thank you notes or gathering small gift cards as a show of gratitude for the volunteer leaders at the causes you care about.
  
   
• Community Volunteers—Think about all the festivals, carnivals, parades, and various holiday occasions where hosts of volunteers sweep in to create memorable events for your whole community!  It might be impractical to thank them all, but you could write a thank you letter to your Town Council, or write an open letter to the editor of your city newspaper thanking all the people that help make your community special.

By Karen Bantuveris, VolunteerSpot.com