Volunt”ears”

For many years I’ve volunteered, even joined a volunteer organization to lead and train volunteers. At one point I was managing 14 projects, each with a project manager, every month. I couldn’t go to all my events each month but picked good people and they ran with it.

There’s a wonderful ad on television with Miss Piggy dreaming of a date with this hottie and instead of getting dinner, she gets plopped into a scene where she has to use hammer and nails to build a home and the reward for her volunteering is a day at a Disney theme park.

Congratulations, Disney. I’m one person spreading the word but you’re a huge corporation that has once again, thought outside the box. Giving a volunteer one day at a theme park is money in the bank for you, because they’ll buy another and flight/hotel and meals and pins and character breakfasts. More important, it’s teaching young people and their families that volunteering is important.

People who can/cannot afford the daily rate to one of Disney’s theme parks get to go. They each get a pin stating that they’re a VoluntEAR. I’m not sure but I think they get to walk in the parade or are saluted at the parade for their community efforts. What a great way to let people know that there are those less fortunate our there that need our help! Congratulations.

It seems you have to go to a theme park to see the rewards of this newfound volunteerism. In line to see the popular Nemo submarine ride, we ran into grandparents, their adult child and two gorgeous young girls on a family reunion. The grands worked at a shelter, and the young family helped plant a community garden, then the entire family got together at Disneyland. This makes “Have a magical day” a mantra, not a simple slogan.

Steamboat Willie/Mickey Mouse’s creator was an innovator and entrepreneur. I think he would be justifiably proud of the recent volunteer initiative.

I don’t know if the organization I volunteered for even exists now, but it catered to busy people who want to commit a few hours per week/month and made it easy to do for a first-time volunteer. For example, spend a Saturday morning with fellow volunteers planting 150 trees. Read to youngsters at a local library. Your time and effort will help someone, and you’ll feel good volunteering for your community.

Help another, volunteer! Cheers, Dee