Volunteering

I'm pretty sure I'll be losing my Medicaid insurance if I don't find 80 hours a month of volunteering opportunities. 

My body will not allow me to be reliable or consistent. The harder I push myself, the more unpredictable breaks I will be forced to take. I have at least five diagnosed debilitating disabilities so far; for which I take a myriad of medications, and sometimes new or additional medications alter my mental status. My respiratory condition is the most serious or noticeable disability, and severely limits my oral communications. (My phone skills are no longer relevant. Anything with phone or video is out because my heavy breathing will terrify normal people, and makes me difficult to comprehend.)

I am also the full-time caregiver for my disabled husband. Which means I am a full-time housewife. I already push to my limitations, but must now do an additional 80 hours a month. And I must be home.

I was a PennState Honors and Scholars student. I was ranked in the 98th percentile of students (for language) in Pennsylvania. I have several publications (poetry and essays in my name, and some ghost writing). 

My first job was as a receptionist for a chiropractic office. I then did telephone research for a radio station and later for Dun&Bradstreet. Back when I wasn't fighting against disabling conditions, I regularly worked 120-hour work weeks as the manager of a busy retail store in Philadelphia. Then I was a receptionist at an ad agency. I held six simultaneous positions at a tele-retail newspaper business. Finally, I became a forklift operator at a massive warehouse. (Which is when my disabilities began.)

In high school, I was a very active volunteer. Most notably was over 600 hours at St Luke's Hospital Bethlehem. I was part of Nickelodeon's The Big Help. 

https://youtu.be/kKZjKyTLnFg

I did volunteer years ago on the campaign for Democrat Norma A. Cusick. She wasn't in my district, but I knew two of her kids from high school, and I recalled how passionate and dedicated she was as a parent volunteer. She ultimately didn't win the seat. While I do support the Democratic party, and vote twice a year, that's the only political campaign experience to my name. (I've had to switch to voting by mail because of my declining health. And I'm a Democrat.)

I have experience with mass mailing, but would need someone to deliver and pick up supplies. I have experience running typed-only multi-player rpgs. I have a deep passion for books, letter writing, and movies. 

I volunteered as a Municipal Liaison for the Lehigh Valley NaNoWriMo writers. (The international organization has since suffered catastrophic issues, which is why I was among the thousands who left.)

So, that's who I am. That's my strengths and weaknesses. I didn't know if you have a use for me. I don't know if there's something I could do for 80 hours a month with your organization. 

I mostly function in the dead of night (1 to 4am), though occasionally am able to accomplish a small task between 6pm to 8pm.

Throwback 90s Memory Box

I was cleaning the closet. In a memory box storage bin were a few treasures I'll share here. 

Poetry Hall of Fame

Best Poems of 1996 win

Who's Who American High School Student 

My final report card from high school 

Caricature of me

The day I reached my goal of 600 hours volunteering at the hospital 🏥 

My college essay 

St. Luke's Volunteer #AtoZChallenge

https://youtu.be/kKZjKyTLnFg?si=ikDlNn_F5vHOM-tI

Big Helper in Action.

St. Luke's hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I was a volunteer for years in middle and high school. Over 600 hours by the time I was 16. 

I knew more parts of the hospital than most employees. I was on the transport team, radiology transport, radiology file room, radiation oncology file room (oooaf, the things I saw there, the Polaroids that had to be filed--couldn't have the guys do that job), pharmacy, North-wing 5/ South-wing 9 (the department moved when the hospital expanded), physical therapy, the mail room, and a float-- going anywhere I was needed. 

I loved volunteering. I made friends. I made a difference. I was a trusted member of the team. 

There was this one woman, Val. She wasn't a people person, as they say. But she liked me. One day, she needed something from her car, which was on the other side of the campus. She remembered my schedule. (Seriously, see all the departments I volunteered in? My schedule? Damnnn. My own mom couldn't remember it.) But Val knew I was in general transport that day, so I could run stuff all around the hospital. She requested me. I came up, she gave me the keys to her car and asked me to get the things. (I could havd stolen her car, the stuff in her car, etc. But she knew me. She knew she could trust me.) I got the stuff, locked the door, and brought it to her. 

Maybe that doesn't inspire you. But someone who couldn't get along with others, we got along. That says something. 

I developed skills while volunteering. I had fun. And I was useful. I had a purpose.

#AtoZchallenge Quality Volunteers are Worth Celebrating

Volunteer Recognition Day

A quality volunteer shows up when they say they will and is dedicated to the assigned task. They don't ask for thanks, but today they should get it anyway.

Any volunteers to get a VHS tape to turn into a YouTube video?
I'm only partly joking.
I was a "Big Helper in Action" on Nickelodeon's "The Big Help" in 1995. I'm Hospital Volunteer Girl!
The Internet seems to only recall celebrities and only has ads about getting trees planted and parks redone. But, at least that year, it was about volunteering in your community in any way you could. There were 30-second commercials that offered ideas. I'm certain of this because I made one. My friend Megan filmed it. My friend and fellow volunteer, Logan, was in some of it with me. I have a copy buried in the VHS library. I wish I could share it with you today because maybe it'd inspire you.

Volunteering at the hospital was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I gave over 600 hours, all by pure choice (my school did not require volunteer work, or offer an incentive for it). I was in several transport areas, where we helped move patients (usually wheeling people to the exit after discharge), delivered flowers from the front desk to patient rooms, or ran urgent samples to the lab (before the pneumonic tubes were installed). I also volunteered on a floor, which involved getting water for everyone twice a shift and answering phones. Plus, I was in radiology, where I put away X-rays in the alphabetical-color-coded filing rooms. I made lots of friends and got a free meal for every few hours I was there. (Contrary to popular belief, our hospital cafeteria was filled with yummy goodness. Doctors eat there. People who could afford five-star food ate there because it was pallet pleasing.) Plus, I came away with vast knowledge and life experience. My resume and college applications always carried that extra gold star.

Have you ever volunteered for something? Do you know a volunteer you can thank today?

The holidays of April is my #AtoZchallenge Theme.