PORCH PONDERINGS

Busy Me!

PROMPT January 6th

Do you support any charitable organizations or causes through donations or volunteering? If so, what causes do you support? And if not, what would you support if you had the ability?



I am lucky enough to be a volunteer in my community. It is something I always wanted to do before I moved here. But in my previous homes, I always had to work or didn’t have the opportunities I have here.

The one organization I volunteer for which most is a local thrift store. I am on the advisory board at Northern Treasures Thrift Store in Roundup, Montana. I also do advertising for this store on Facebook. I was also instrumental in getting my church group to volunteer at this store one afternoon a week. We see this as a witnessing opportunity. And since we have started doing this, for over a year now, we have had the most fun. One contest we started for the store is “What Am I?”. When we find a donated item and have no idea what that item is, that item goes to the contest. Of course, we have to find out what that item is first, and then post it for the contest. Winners get a coupon for a discount on a future purchase. We are amazed at the popularity of this! Fun.

We as a couple also volunteer for Meals on Wheels. We do this every Wednesday. It is a duty we take seriously. It only takes about thirty minutes for us to deliver prepackaged meals to about twenty people.
The program has continued throughout the pandemic. We never missed a week. During the first few weeks, we served over thirty clients as the senior center was closed. But that lasted only a short time. We are in full swing again. The center has been open, people can eat at the senior center, carry food out, or have it delivered.

I also volunteer for my church doing advertising and working on the radio station our church has. We do a radio show once a week. Several of us do a talk show, sometimes a Bible study, sometimes another topic.
We’ve been doing this for a few years now. Our Facebook page posts the radio show so folks can view it later. I also send information to the church publications that go to a statewide magazine. I also keep the church website updated.

So I feel blessed to be able to volunteer in my adopted community. This is the life I always wanted. Busy, doing work that helps others. Tomorrow I am going out with a lady to volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce. This endeavor will address the SE Montana Tourism initiative of being safe while you travel. We are trying to encourage tourism, mask-wearing, and being safe during this Covid Crisis.

I love being busy.