Volunteering

My wife Connie and I have been volunteering in a number of different venues for some years now.  Many people have a restricted view of what happens in a volunteer position, believing that it consists mostly of low-skill administrative tasks - filing forms, and so on.

We have volunteered at Dulles Airport's Information Desk which gives one exposure to people from around the world, answering their questions, helping them get from one place to another, meet their relatives, and so on.

Currently, we volunteer at Great Falls Park, part of the National Park Service.  Again, there are people from other countries who are eager to learn about that beautiful place on the Potomac River.  It's fun to try to communicate with them in the smattering of languages that we know.  Taking hikes on the park grounds, helping lost visitors and explaining park history is also great fun.

I volunteer with the local police department, filming their recruit classes, and then preparing a video that shows the successes and embarrassments of their multi-month program.

In an earlier posting, I described my efforts with the National Honor Flight network that brings WWII vets to the National WWII memorial here in Washington D.C.  Now, that's something that is truly worthwhile and an honor to meet those vets and interview them.

So.  Why don't you consider calling a museum, park, airport or other public place in your area that uses volunteers.  They will teach you what you need to know, and I believe that you will find it fun and rewarding.