Why did you want to volunteer? (in general; 
what is your compelling reason to volunteer, 
however you do so).


1	I figure it is a way I can share some of my 
	abilities and interests with others.

2	As a volunteer I can break down barriers and sidestep the 
	politics. As an employee or consultant I would not be nearly as 
	effective.

3	No answer.

4	I volunteered for the big buddy program because I really 
	believe that children are undervalued in American society. It's 
	one thing to say "I care about the future of our children" and 
	quite another to get involved. I saw an opportunity to make a 
	difference in someone's life. As far as personal gain, I did 
	receive credit from the school at the end of each semester 
	based on attendance, journals we kept, projects we completed 
	with the children and a few other factors.

5	Believe in the need for equine rescue, abuse prevention, etc.

6	My disAbility makes me aware of my finiteness. When I faced 
	death a few years ago I determined that literacy was going to 
	be my next undertaking. If I die, and kids can read (when they 
	could not previously), then my life is worth it. It's also beliefs. 
	I have a personal faith spiritually. I feel 
	that the creator (center 
	of my beliefs) would not have given me a brain, if I were not 
	expected to use it. Sort of an accountablity thing. I also tend to 
	be good at some things which others find either mind boggling, 
	or a hassle. I like figuring out things. These things are easy for 
	me. I love research (and writing) and this plays into it as well. 
	All those little boring facts play out well into life. They help 
	with advocacy. They help to explain lots of life's little conflicts, 
	which we all face, ponder, and often can't quite grasp. It's not 
	boring. It's fun. It's creative. You never know what's coming 
	next! I studied Hmong because I have an injury to my left 
	temporal lobe. Many times I have aphasia and cannot speak. I 
	know how it is to have no voice. I challenged myself. Now I 
	speak some, and read more. 

7	When I had to quit working because of a chronic illnes, I felt 
	like I wasn't contributing anything. Volunteering allowed me to 
	do so.

8	Just typically feels good to be helpfull & usefull, plus there are
	often interesting things to do that you don't get to do 
	otherwise.

9	Sense of service; avoid complications 
	involved with money; find community.

10	I feel a fundamental obligation to serve my community.

11	 You can never thank a parent or teacher. All you can do is 
	pass it on. I am grateful my parents and teachers gave me so 
	much to pass on. In addition, I believe ignorance is our greatest 
	social disease.

12	I wanted to help and contribute the society, also i wanted to 
	volunteer so i could put it on my college transcript.

13	My Mom always did. We were brought up with the idea that 
	it's a good thing to do. I love to write...and do it for free just 
	to be able to write. I like helping out whenever I can. Also, the 
	highschool requires it of the kids and so my son and I volunteer 
	together.

14	Volunteering is a personally rewarding for many reasons - not 
	only from helping others, but it's a great way to get to know 
	your community and meet other people.

15	I like to help others, and it gives me a good feeling of 
	accomplishment, and pleasure to help others.

16	It is what is needed, I enjoy it, and the youth are our future.

17	My compelling reason is I have been frustrated due to my 
	disability, and if I was any more disabled, I could not deal with 
	bureaucrats, so I help others who are more disabled get 
	benefits or information.

18	I want to be of service doing things I like, 
	working with food and writing.

19	I've worked for nonprofits in Minnesota: Catholic Charities of 
	the Twin Cities, Goodwill and Easter Seal of Minnesota. I 
	know how hard--and how important--volunteering is to the 
	overall health of a nonprofit.

20	I am not certain ( you ask difficult questions) I don't make a lot 
	of money-- I've never been motivated by it. But I have a limited 
	number of dollars to give. I find that my time, which I don't 
	value too highly, is easy to give and quite often, in computer 
	support, I can give a little time and save an organization a lot 
	of both time and money.

21	The first reason was to help others. The second was to feel like 
	I was whole again. We live in a very rural area that makes the 
	disabled feel cut off from the world. I feel that I have learned 
	as much from those I've helped as they have learned from me.	

22	It started out as something to spend my time while awaiting 
	disability for an injury. It continues because I like it. Now I 
	want to open a halfway house for women in Denver to meet a 
	need that is currently not being addressed.

23	It's an opportunity for me to meet people and do something out 
	of my normal routine. Growing up I did a lot of volunteer and 
	service work and I really enjoy it.

24	I am working on changing careers and 
	have time to explore. This give me a great opportunity.

25	To improve the lives of people in my community and because it 
	provides a purpose for my time. Also because I enjoy 
	typesetting and design and I am happy to be able to do this as a 
	volunteer. It is also a way to repay the help I receive.

26	To help out and gain experience.

27	Got very upset when heard about common childhood vaccines, 
	such as measles-mumps-rubella, contained human albumin. 
	Then found out many lots of human albumin withdrawn by the 
	manufacturer because of possible CJD risk. At this point it is 
	not known if CJD is spread through blood. Got very upset and 
	felt public awareness about the disease will help in the 
	treatment victims and their families get and hopefully will 
	increase pressure for more research funding so treatments and 
	a cure can be found.

28	No answer.

29	To use skills and technology to help a 
	community or organization better serve 
	people in need.

30	Community Service.

31	To help.

32	To give something back to the 
	community, to share the wealth, to do good works, etc.

33	I wanted to be involved in something that was not work related 
	and that would help people. After my second parent died, I 
	wanted to help others dealing with grief (as we so often live 
	away from family and old friends).

34	 I am on a disability pension I never wanted that effectively 
	says that anything I may do to make myself employable again 
	will lead to my only income being cut off before I can become 
	self-sufficient. Only within the last few years were the rules 
	changed to allow volunteer work without my income being in 
	jeopardy.

35	These cases were both matters of providing Support to 
	relatives who had taken on volunteer activities of their own. I 
	am interested in expanding my volunteer activities, particularly 
	if I retire.

36	No answer.

37	To get people involved in the decisions affecting our
	quality of life.

38	unknown

39	I spent a dozen years working as a volunteer and
	professional in rape crisis and family violence agencies. To me this is
	another way to prevent violence.

40 	At first it was simple - I had a skill and a desire to help
	Emmie (my co-worker) and thought it would be a great experience for me.
	Over time though, as the site grew (along with my knowledge of the
	issues surrouding breast cancer)there was an increased feeling of 
	personal satisfaction. I put a lot in, but I get a LOT back.. :)

41	I like helping people. Giving is where it's at.

42	I enjoy helping the people I come across online.  I have
	software that was given to me as a gift, I could never have afforded it.
	So I think it is only fair to share it with those who need help.  I am most
	interested in getting porno sites removed "name harvesting" which is using
	an actors name without permission to draw people to the sites.

 


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