Volunteering Changes Lives

By: Laura Steiner

Seven years ago I started my career in Journalism as a volunteer with my local community cable station.   I wanted to do a story about a local church.  I called, and left a message about scheduling an interview.

By the time someone called me back, the station was shutting down for the summer.  I ended up being unable to do the story.  The contact was very understanding, and we got to talking.  I told them a bit about myself, and my background.  I told them how I liked to write, and work behind the scenes on television more than being on-air.

They told me one of their friends was the publisher of a local newspaper called the Halton Compass. They even gave me the publisher’s number.  It took me about a week to work up the nerve to call it.  The rest is history.  This is why I’m such a big booster of volunteering.  If I hadn’t been volunteering with my local cable station I wouldn’t have met the this person.  I wouldn’t have gotten the publisher’s phone number. I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.

Volunteering changes lives, whether it’s yours or someone else’s.  It’s a great way to give back to your community, explore a new interest, or gain experience in your field.  A common purpose with others is a great way to meet people.  I’ve met a lot of friends through volunteer work.

I’ve always tried to keep volunteering as part of my life.  I’ve worked at the Milton Centre for the Arts as an usher, as part of Literacy North Halton as a tutor (although they never found me a student).  I still volunteer at local events.

Volunteering changed my life.  Why not let it change yours?