Inspiration from Volunteering
Delivery of a hot meal to a needy Senior
It all started in May 2008. I had been looking for a way to serve my community. I had been a volunteer firefighter in Cypress, Texas before beginning our journey from coast to coast that had us moving six times between 2000 and 2006. I honestly missed giving to my community. For over two years, I had been driving my daughter to her gymnastics class going right past the Cherokee County Senior Services facility. On the bottom of that sign, there is a smaller sign that reads “Meals on Wheels – Volunteers NEEDED” and a phone number.
Finally one morning in early May, I walked in the front door and told the woman at the front desk that I wanted to volunteer. She gave me some paperwork and I also had to agree to submit to a background check as well as a check of my driving record. I dropped off the paperwork and the following week I was called in to come for an orientation on Monday morning. My orientation actually turned into me going on what would become my route with one of the head volunteers. After we were done he said, “Ok see you next Monday!” And that is how my adventure began.
During my next week, I was completely nervous. Would I remember where all the houses were? We went in such a weird circle, would I get lost? Somehow I made it through and got the meals to my clients still piping hot. I was now in my third week driving from my first client, and we call our stops clients by the way, when inspiration hit me. I remember exactly where on the road I was, I can almost recall the date in May of 2008. I wanted to find a way to legitimately sell cruises. Cruises were and are my passion. My neighbor after listening to me talk about my cruise in January of 2007 had said “Chuck you need to be selling cruises.” It is the perfect career for someone who is a devoted father of a six year old. I now have a successful home based business where I can see my daughter off to school work all day and be there when she steps off the bus. I owe it all because I decided to get involved and give to my community.
I remain completely devoted to volunteering for Meals on Wheels. I have had some clients who have moved on from this world and that is always a bit sad. My daughter has helped me throughout the summer and school breaks and my clients love seeing her. Soon she will be joining me on my route yet again. The top listing on my business plan for 2009 and for 2010 is to continue as a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels. Many times our volunteers are the only human contact our clients will see in a day. Starting my week out doing my deliveries reminds me of what is truly important in life and helps keep me centered.
I know it is not for everyone. You would be amazed even if dollars are short in your life giving of your time can be just as important to an organization in your community whatever that may be. You might just find yourself inspired in the process.
Chuck and Laura Flagg own The Flagg Agency in Canton, GA.
We are fee-based cruise consultants and our specialty is the selecting, planning, marketing and administering cruises for groups of all sizes.
We are experts in the art of matching a cruise experience to both our clients’ wants AND their needs.
Contact us because you have been imagining yourself on a cruise, and you want to have a cruise experience now.
Related posts:
