THE ALL AMERICAN VOLUNTEER
Listen my children, and you shall hear
a story of the All American Volunteer.
It all began back many a year
with the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
Volunteer soldiers, and many many more,
built America from shore to shore.
Why is America such a wonderful place?
Because volunteers are the base!
Volunteers share their talents and time,
for their efforts they ask not a dime!
They serve their cities, county, or state.
The value of their services are hard to rate.
When called to duty, their response is quick.
They rock cradles, serve hungry, and heal our sick.
To try to set measure would be a waste.
There is no dollar value that can be placed.
Why do so many people serve as volunteers?
There are so many reasons, some bring us to tears.
For whatever their reasons for serving may be,
Volunteers are the answer and always will be.
There isn't enough money to pay for what they do
Just remember to say "Thanks" when they come to help you!
--2000 Volunteer Appreciation Party "Volunteers Leading the Way",
written by Mona Ray, Volunteer Coordinator
Submitted by Mona Ray, Brevard County, Criminal Justice
Services, Florida, Brevard County
'Twas a Dangerous Cliff
Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff,"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."
But the cry for the ambulance
carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
"For the cliff is
all right, if you're careful," they said,
"And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they're stopping."
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked:
"It's a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they'd much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he,
"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley."
"Oh he's a fanatic,"
the others rejoined,
"Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We'll support them forever.
Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?"
But the sensible few,
who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.
Better guide well the
young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
"To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best
To prevent other people from falling."
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence 'round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
-- Joseph Malins (1895)
Submitted by Candy Yoder, Child Abuse Prevention Services, Inc,
IN
What's a Volunteer?
There is a job to be done,
could be lots of fun.
Just give us a call,
and we'll have a ball.
You must have a big heart.
It's always a help to be sorta smart.
The money is rare,
but the rewards are big in compare.
-Pat Boyes
Submitted by Diane, PTA, TX
Thanks, Volunteer
Thanks for all the little things,
The "done-and-then-forgotten" things,
The "oh-it's-simply-nothing" things
That make our days much brighter.
With unobtrusive, friendly
things,
And "never-mind-the-trouble" things,
And "won't-you-let-me-help-you" things,
You've made our hearts much later.
-- Aurthor unknown
Submitted by Diane, PTA, TX
To Our Volunteer
You've been so very good to us.
You've been kind in every way.
You've made us treats and helped
On all our special days.
Today we'd like to thank you
For all you've done this year,
And to tell you that you're special
And so very, very dear.
Today we'd like to tell you
In our own special way:
We appreciate the things
you've done
More than words can say.
-- by
Paulette, TLC
submitted by Diane,TX
VOLUNTEER
V is for the vigor that you bring
O is for the opportunity to know you
L is for your life you share
U is for the unconditional love you have
N is for the nurturing you give
T is for the time you don't have
E is for the excitement you bring
E is for the energy you have
R is for the reason you're a volunteer
--Jolita Dorsett, Volunteer Coordinator
VOLUNTEER
V is for the victories you've taught
us how to win.
O is for the opportunity of giving us a
a helping friend.
L is for the labor and love you render
so unselfishly
U is for the understanding you know and
feel we need.
N is for the times that you have never
let us down
T is for the truthfulness uou bring into
our lives.
E is for the exceptional way you do the
things you do.
E is for excellence in your going beyond
our expectations.
R is for remembering just how lucky we
are to have you.
--
Tina Hamilton, Hamilton County Juvenile Court Ohio
Through the Patients'
Eyes
My dear volunteer . . .
You are my friend, my neighbor, my confidant
You are from down the street, across the river and into the next
county
You are young and old and in between
You are educated by your past and hopeful for the future
You are all races and beautiful to me
You pray with me and feel my pain
You see my scars but are not afraid
You guide me and move me in so many ways
You inspire those around you to open their eyes
You speak from your heart and listen with your soul
You are dedicated to the sick
You are determined to make a difference
You give all you have and expect nothing in return
You are kind and caring, even when the world is not
You give me strength to walk on my own
You give me hope to dream about tomorrow
You are a giver, not a taker
You are all that is good in this world.
Written by Jennifer L. Kopar - presented at the Annual
Volunteer Recognition Luncheon 2000
Submitted by Jennifer L. Kopar, Director, Volunteer
Services Department, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Volunteers
You hold the hand of many
Listen to the words of all
You become more than company
And are there at the slightest call
Bringing joy, laughter, warmth and song
Leaving with what you knew all along
That shared peace with a willing heart
Can be found in all of us
When we each do our part
Volunteers
--Myself
Submitted by Penny Bennett, Coordinator of Volunteer
Services,
Why Be A Volunteer
It's not for fortune
It's not for fame
It's not for only personal gain
It's not for love of fellowman
Or just to lend a helping hand
It's not for medals worn with pride
It's for the feeling deep inside
Of helping others far and near
That makes you want to volunteer!
--By Ann
Myhre, Age 15
Submitted
by Stacie Morris, Ronald McDonald House Charities , Morgantown,
WV
Through Your Eyes
-by Karen Shepard
Through your eyes,
People see things they have never seen.
Through your words,
People hear things they have never heard.
Through your spirit,
People are taken on a journey of discovery.
Take your own journey,
Become a volunteer!
Submitted by Karen Shepard, Volunteer Coordinator,
Manatee Observation and Education Center, Fort Pierce, Florida USA
Volunteers
These are the ones
who give so much
To soothe our fears with a tender touch.
They arrive each week with a smile so dear
And help to wipe away the most awful fear.
They come in all colors,
shapes and ages
And give of their time without any wages.
Each has a talent they are willing to share
With families who know how much they care.
They come in all weather,
rain or shine,
To work at the House from nine to nine.
From answering phones to mopping floors,
They find great joy in doing chores.
We are very lucky, there is no doubt,
For Volunteers we can’t do without.
To each one we’d like to say
Thanks for putting sunshine in each day.
-author unknown
Submitted by Sandra Zygarlicke, House Director,
Ronald McDonald House, Marshfield, Wisconsin
Valuable Is the Work You Do
Valuable
is the work you do.
Outstanding is how you always come through.
Loyal, sincere and full of good cheer,
Untiring in your efforts throughout the year….
Notable are the contributions you make.
Trustworthy in every project you take.
Eager to reach your every goal.
Effective in the way you fulfill your role.
Ready with a smile like a shining star,
Special and wonderful—that’s what you
are.
---author unknown,
courtesy of Points of Light Foundation, in honor of Volunteer Week
Submitted by Sandra Zygarlicke, House Director,
Ronald McDonald House, Marshfield, Wisconsin
Back
to First Page
