And not Tennesee!!!!

What a day! My thirteen year old son volunteers for "The Arc", It's a non-profit organization. Arc stands for Association of retarded citizens of the US.(also disabilities) The local chapter has a cycling program for small children to adults on riding bicycles. They start them off on tandums, until they are ready to ride a bike on there own. We just watched these kids and adults run a 12 mile cycling time trial on tandums. What a blast to see there there faces when they finished. My son's teacher got him to help this year repairing the bikes as the adults trained these enthustiastic students. Do any of you volunteer for organizations like this or the special olympics, or have you ever watched. For my wife and I this was the first time. People who work with these people deserve a lot of credit as I now see. The only problem I now see is my son would like to start road racing (like Greg LeMond). These race bikes cost more than I have invested in my '64 stepside. ($1200-$5200)

Sorry for the long post ,but it reminded me how much we have and how much we could give.

http://comnet.org/arcww/cycling.html
http://www.thearc.org/

 

I used to Volunteer for a nursing home. It was alright, except for the smell. I have also helped counsel families in need of an organ transplant. Also, there is a little old man who is homeless and walks down this one road everyday. Every paycheck I go give him some money. I like to help people in need!

Gig'em

 

 

Kevin,

I am a LION with the New Haven Lions Club. We raise monies for a number of charities some of which are listed below;

Lions Visually Impaired Youth Camp

Leader Dogs for the Blind

Michigan Eye Bank

Penrickton Center for Blind Children

Habitat for humanity

These are just a few of the charities that we support besides our local families.

It is very rewarding to know that you are spending time helping someone less fortunate than yourself. I would recomend it for everyone. It can take as little as an hour a month or as much as you are willing to give. I personally give as much as I can

Jim

 

I have a friend that has been volunteering for an organization for over 20 years. Now that he has turned 70, they tell him that he can not volunteer anymore because of his age. They have some dumb by-law or policy about age. Strange thing is this guy is a picture of health, works out at a gym every morning and is totally competent. Isn't there something out there about age and considering a persons worth, instead of saying you are out the door because you are 70? What advice should I give him?


'94 EB,5.8,towing package, Rancho RSX7000 shocks,Westin nerf bar, Energy Suspension poly, keeping it basically stock

 

I'd bet that there are other organizations that would be happy to have him around. No point in hanging out where your not wanted.

 

I know it's not much, but I help out with the kid's local fishing derby (weighing in the fish), and my band ocaisionally plays at charity benefits. A lot of my free time is spent helping friends or family with carpentry jobs.

Jen,
I too am trying to help out a homeless man. I met him a month ago while doing a renovation job in Staten Island, N.Y.
It's a really sad story. He is a disabled Vietnam veteran who can barely walk even with his walker. He was wounded in the stomach, and lost most of his toes due to "jungle rot". He says he has not been eligable for social security up until now. He's finally getting his first S.S. check in 7 days, but he's not recieving the benefits that he should (he says it's because he refuses to go back to live at the VA hospital).
He literally lives in a hole in the wall. It's actually a hole in a concrete wall that served as some kind of pump house at one time (4'x4' with a dirt floor and no door).
I have been giving him money, buying him water, and giving him a ride here and there. He say's to me "don't worry I will pay you back". I tell him that since he served our country, I owe him.
He showed me his Veteran I.D. card the first day I met him. It was his birthday on August 8th, so I bought him lunch.
My girlfriend and I are searching the net and trying to help get him off the street before the cold weather starts.
Anyway, as long as you are not being taken advantage of I think you are doing a really great thing!

 

>I have a friend that has been volunteering for an
>organization for over 20 years. Now that he has turned 70,
>they tell him that he can not volunteer anymore because of
>his age. They have some dumb by-law or policy about age.
>Strange thing is this guy is a picture of health, works out
>at a gym every morning and is totally competent. Isn't there
>something out there about age and considering a persons
>worth, instead of saying you are out the door because you
>are 70? What advice should I give him?
>
>
>'94 EB,5.8,towing package, Rancho RSX7000 shocks,Westin nerf
>bar, Energy Suspension poly, keeping it basically stock

Since I'm about the same age (68), I can suggest that you tell him that they are the losers and to find another orginization that will appreciate his talents and experience.
I go to the gym 3 days a week and it does my old ego good to share a machine with some 30 year old , watch him strain to make his 10 reps, then I add 20 pounds and grin at him while I whip out 15 reps. Age is just a number.
Dono