Time to Volunteer: The Opportunities Are All Over the Place!

You know, volunteerism isn't something that happens just around the holidays.  Its kind of like feeding hungry people – they're not just hungry at Christmas or Thanksgiving. Hunger, sheltering, clothing the needy is just like educating our children, it happens every day and is critically needed every day. So, there's your good deed for the rest of the year: make sure you take some non-perishables to the local food bank every week.

That was not the primary content of this week's blog . . . I just went off on a subject near and dear to my heart.

But, let's get back to volunteerism. I am very much involved in the act of volunteering. I'm a member of Rotary - huge, international organization and we do good works all over Manchester as well as financially support good works around the world by other Rotarians. I'm a member of the Manchester Arts Commission – again, advocating and supporting artists and arts organizations (most of whom are volunteers) in order to bring the beauty of dance, music, acting, fine arts, writing, etc. to our community. I'm also the Executive Director of - a volunteer member driven theatrical troupe who's been around for 52 years producing dramas, comedies, musical theater here at Cheney Hall.

And, again, I digress. My Pride (and joy) is also being the chairperson for Pride in Manchester Week. A Saturday-to-Saturday series of events that happen all around Manchester the first full week of June. From a huge concert in Center Memorial Park, to a delightful Senior Dance (where Seniors actually show up the Juniors on the dance floor), to an event that makes our Main Street sparkle, and culminating in Heritage Day - a celebration of all that makes Manchester a great place to live, work, and play, this event is all volunteer driven.

Even our financial sponsors are truly volunteers in a way; we are not a tax exempt organization, so they get no tax credit for their donation that helps underwrite these events. They do it out of the goodness of their hearts and the pride they have in our town.

We even offer a Photography Contest so those with a keen eye can take a photo or two to enter into a contest showing what they're proud of in Manchester. Maybe it's the Manchester Road Race, or MHS graduation, or Crusin' on Main. 

So . ..why am I going on and on about this, because it's a chance for you to show your Pride as well. A few hours each month as we decide and plan, lots of hours during that week, but the fun we have far outweighs the sore feet and the fun we provide for others. And I mean thousands of Manchester residents and area folks (yea, we let people who aren't from Manchester into the city limits) is well worth all the work!

Come and join us on Monday, March 26th at 5:30 p.m. at Cheney Hall for the next Pride meeting. If you're new in town you'll meet some strangers who will quickly become your friends, and if you've been around town for a while and didn't know how to or where to volunteer, start with us, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll hear about all the other organizations who need your time, talent and treasures!

Show Your Pride!