I’m busy, as we all are. My intentions are always there, to find some way to contribute back to my community.  I’ve finally been inspired to schedule time to start volunteering in a small, manageable way.  Our company’s new Volunteer Policy pays for 4 hours of volunteer time per month.  I’ve used that as an inspiration to go ahead and schedule time to do just that.  I just completed my volunteer orientation at the Thurston County Food Bank, where I will be volunteering one morning a month to help package food items. 

I am excited to be volunteering for our local United Way’s annual Day of Caring on September 21.  I met today with the agency representative where I will be painting, moving furniture and remodeling as part of our company’s participation.  I have to say I was very touched when she told me that they would not be able to do this project without our help - that their staffing is so bare bones it would take a very long time to even consider doing the work that we will be doing.  It renewed my commitment to contribute something back to the community. 

I’m proud to work for a company that actively supports community participation and makes it easier to do so.  I’m glad that those same policies nudged me along to make volunteering a part of my regular schedule.