"Volunteerism Is the Name of the Game": Volunteering 101

7 Tips for Today's Volunteer!

Volunteering for Better Health and Wealth in the Down Economy - There are a lot of lessons learned in helping. Some call it volunteering or providing free or pro bono services to organizations or individuals. The good news is that not only does helping another person benefit the recipient; it also is good for the volunteer's health and wealth. Since January, according to lawshucks.com, legal firms nationwide have laid off nearly 10,300 employees and of that, more than 3,800 were lawyers. The Forbes.com Layoff Tracker reports that since November 1, 2008, nearly 574,000 employees have been given pink slips at America's top 500 largest public companies. With so many idled workers, volunteering one's way to a new job and better health are viable alternatives to unemployment and stress.With a worldwide recession underway, here are a few benefits of volunteering:

1.Volunteering improves mental stamina. A study published in 2008 by the Community Service Volunteers of Great Britain showed that volunteering improved mental health, quality of life, enhanced service attitudes and social worthiness. Another British organization, Care Matters, published a paper in 2007, showing that persons who volunteer build their skills and confidence.

2. Volunteering has no limits. It ranges from paying for cup of coffee to serving in a food line to feed the homeless and hungry. Many websites now encourage virtual volunteering such as making phone calls to former hospital patients.

3. Volunteering can result in complimentary tickets to major events. During the 1996 Olympic Games, my volunteers received tickets to every event, including the top priced Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

4. Volunteer someone to sponsor you. Parents and mentors are ideal candidates to pay one's bills or provide food and shelter to individuals who then can afford to serve as an intern or on another work assignment until a paying gig is available.

5.Volunteer your way into a job. The media industry is hard hit by cut backs. A recent call to a newspaper to inquire about the lack of sports coverage for a local team resulted in an opportunity for a media student to pick up freelance work and gain experience.

6.Volunteer for entertainment purposes only. Tight economic times limit discretionary income for entertainment. My grandmother volunteered with the Omaha Opera and I recently served as a volunteer for a literary festival and enjoyed the talks by authors.

7. Volunteering is a cure for loneliness and what ails individuals. Studies from Arizona to Canada, have well-documented everything from the "helper's high" for those who give of their time and money, to reduced stress, improved hearts and immune systems.

Out and About

July 3 - 7 - Miss Florida & Miss Florida Outstanding Teen
May 18-20 Miss FL & Miss FLOT Orientation
May 12 - Pageant Camp
May - Vets. Donations
August 2011- American Heart Association fundrasier events for First Coast Heart Walk
First Coast No More Homeless Pets
Jacksonville Humane Scoiety
Box Tops for Education
Bottle CAPS for Aveda
Tyler's Tab's - Ronald McDonald House
Stuffed Animal Collection
Companion of Animals
Treats for Troops
Cell Phones Collection for Hubbard House
Read Out Loud
Fill My Cup Book Moblie
Big Brothers Big Sisters
At Regalia - Mrs. Florida United States Workshop - 2012
April 21-22 - Mrs. Florida United States Pageant
April 20 - Miss Mandarin High School Pageant
April 6 -7 - Miss St. Augustine, Daytona Pageants (MAO) - Judge
March - Mrs. Florida America Pageant
March 24 -Miss Florida Sunshine, Miss Nassua County & Miss North Florida Pageant (MAO) - help with Pre-Pageant Work
March 24 - First Coast Heart Ball
March - 2 - Atlantic Coast High School Pageant
February 4 - Miss Jacksonville & Miss River City Jacksonville Pageant (MAO)
February - 3 - AHA - Go Red for Women - Wear RED
January - 28 - Judging Sunburst Local
January 16 - National Day of Service
January 14, 2012 - Miss America Pageant Party
December 16 - Holiday Around the World
December 15 - Second Harvest Food Bank
December - Toys for Tots - Donations and Volunteer
December - SAYS St. Augustine Boys Ranch - Wish List
December - Bell Ringer for Salvation Army
December - Hearts for the Holidays
November 20 - Jerry Hamm Chevy - Thanksgiving Turkey giveway
November 14 - 22 - United Way Gift Basket
November 13 - USO Tour Event in Daytona Beach, Florida for Hospice Care for Vets
November 12 - Miss St. Johns County, Miss Clay County, & Miss Duval County Pageant (MAO)
November 11 - Veteran's Day - Day of Remembering
November 9 - I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless
November 8 - BOA - Associate Expo /Volunteer
November 7 -18 - Hubbard House - Wish list Donations
November 4 - Salavation Army - Donations
October 22 - Petsmart Pet Photo and Contest
October 22 - Susan G. Komen Walk/Volunteer
October 21 - Annual Children's Fall Festival - Candy donations
October 16 - Candy Donations Drop off - Trunk and Treat - New Life Christian Church
October 17-31 - Annual Great Pumpkin Patch
October 15 - Miss SR. High School Pageant
October 15 - Miss Florida Workshop
October 15 - ACS - Making Strides Cancer Walk
October 14 - Veterans of America - Donations
October 12 - Donations/volunteering at Jacksonville Humane Scoiety
October 11 - 21 - Candy Donations for the Kids Fall Festival
October 8 - Dogtoberfest - First Coast No More Homeless Pets
September 24 - First Coast No More Homeless Pets - Fill The Truck Event -Two Men and a Truck
September 24 - American Heart Association First Coast Heart Walk
September 18 - Precious Pooch Pageant - supporting the Jacksonville Humane Society - Judging
September 16 - Clay County Utility - Health Fair - American Heart Association Booth - volunteer
September 10-11 - Mrs. Florida International Pageant
September - United Way - Kick Off Event
August 26 - I.M. Sulzbacher Center
August - 16 -17 - AHA - Volunteer
August 13-14 - America's Perfect Miss
August- 10 - Jewelry Collections/Donations for Making Strides Cancer Walk
August 6 - Back-2-School Extravaganza - Chick-fil-A
August 2 - I.M. Sulzbacher Center - Donations and Volunteer
July, November & December 2011- Second Harvest Food Bank - Northeast Florida
July and August 2011 - Stuff the Bus - for kids school supplies
July 18 - Nelson Mandela Birthday Challenge - Volunteer at the Veterans of America Center
July 13-14 - United States Pageant - Las Vegas, NV
July 9 - Miss Florida (MAO)
July 4 - Independence Day
June & July - Kick off Event for First Coast American Heart Association Heart Walk
June 4 - Donate/Volunteer to Canie Cocktails - Jacksonville Humane Society
June, July, August, Sept., Oct., Nov., 2011 - United Way - Live United!
May 30 - Memorial Wall - Remembering
May 29 - Memorial Day
May 21 - Trails to Tails - Jacksonville Humane Society Walk
May 21 - Armed Forces Day
May 20 - Go Red for Women Luncheon - Volunteer
May 14 - NALC Stamp Out Hunger - Letter Carriers
May 7 - March of Dime Walk
May 6 - Junior Achievement Bowling Event
May 1-15 - Pace Center for Girls - Wish list Collection

Timeless Beauty Tips

Audrey Hepburn, known for her glamour, style and grace, was asked to share her beauty tips with women - instead she wrote a poem.

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run (their) fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed: never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands - one for helping yourself and the other for helping others."

Appearance Schedule - Mrs. North Florida United States

April - National Volunteer Month - April 10-16 -Find your passion!
Text HUNGER to 50555 to give $10 today* - Drive to End Hunger - #24 JG Nascar Driver
March, April 2011 - Hubbard House - Donated Cell Phone Drive
Fill My Cup Book Mobile
Good Shepherd Children's Academy Orphanage for Katelyn Wildes
Big Brother Big Sister Program
Treats for the Troops
October, November and December - Hubbard House - Donated Cell Phone Drive
October, November and December -2010 - Hearts for the Holidays - Creating Cards for Nursing Homes
October and November - United Way fundrasing events
October - 16 -31 - 6th Annual Pumpkin Patch - Volunteer
October - 17 - Miss Daytona and Miss St. Augsutine Pageant (MAO)
October - 24 - Citrus Pageant Jacksonville - Volunteer
November -6 American Diabetes Association Walk
November - 7 - USO Talent Show - Volunteer to support Hospice Care
November 11 - Veterans Day Wall
November 12 - I.M. Sulzbacher Center
November 13 - Miss Duval County Pageant (MAO)
November 16 - Salavation Army Volunteer
November 17 - March of Dimes - Prematurity Awareness Day
November - 18 - Hospice Care of Northeast Florida - Thanksgiving Basket
November -19 - Christmas Holiday Pageant for 2011 Queens - Judge
November -20 - Veterans of America Donations Volunteer
November -20 - Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive
November- 21 - Benefit 2nd Harvest North Florida Food Drive
November and December - Collection for Toys for Tots
December- 11 - Hearts for the Holiday - Deliver to the Nursing Homes
December- 17 - SAYS St. Augustine Boys Ranch - Wish List
December -19- Bell ringer for Salvation Army
December -31 - Gator Bowl Parade
January -17 - National Day of Service - Veterans of America
January -29 - Miss Orlando (MAO)
February- 4 - National Wear Red Day
February- 5 - Miss River City (MAO)
February -19 - Florida United States Workshop
February- 26 - Dr. Seuss - Read Across America
February - 26 - Mr. St. John's County Day Pageant - Supporting Cancer Research
February- 28 - Second Harvest Food Bank - Jacksonville Sharks
March - 9 - Jacksonville L.E.A.D - Aetna's Healthy Meals for the Heart
March - 5 - Charity Horse Farm Open House - Diamonds in the Rough Farm
March - 11 - Gate River Run - volunteer
March - 12 - Gate River Run - volunteer
March -18 - Miss Fletcher High School Pageant
March 19 - Hogs for Dogs Bike Run -Volunteer
March - 26 - Stein Mart Grand Opening - 26.2 with Donna - Finish Breast Cancer
March - 26 - Miss Clay County & Miss North Florida (MAO)
March- 30 - Interview Judging - Miss Middleburg 2011
April- 2 - Judging - Miss Middleburg 2011
April - 5- AHA - Go Red - Open House
April- 6 - National Start! Walking Day
April - 9 - Setting the Pace for Peace Awareness Walk
April - 9 - Miss Ponte Vedra Pageant
April -10 -Heels and Hounds Pageant to support the Qugily House Shelter
April -16 - Miss St. John's County Day Pageant - Judge
April- 29 - May 2 - Mrs. Florida United States Pageant

Tips on being the change

"Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi

1. Be Nice to People - Believe it or not, most of us are not nice to each other; even though the other person has not done anything to deserve it. This is especially apparent while driving. People have become self-centered and its always “me first”. Most people would agree this needs to change, but few people understand the change must occur IN YOU. You probably think you are a kind person, we all like to think we’re kind at all times. You might think “but I always let people merge” or “I always hold the door open for people”. If you’re keeping score, you’re doing it wrong; you’re being nice only to serve your ego. If you weren’t keeping score, you wouldn’t be nice. Let us instead be nice to people and not keep track of what you did or whether or not you did you “good deed for the day”. Make being nice a regular habit; so regular that it is insignificant to your consciousness and you don’t even realize you’re doing it.

2. Take Responsibility for Your Actions - This means that if you get a ticket for driving 75 MPH in a 70 MPH zone, you were speeding and you should’t argue or complain if you are pulled over and given a ticket. I’ve noticed many people who do not accept the responsibility for what they’ve done. You are ultimately responsible for everything that happens around you. When something happens, you are ultimately responsible for your presence and your reaction to that circumstance. Own up and accept that you’re not perfect and that you make mistakes. Fix them, learn from it, and move on. Stop making excuses; you’re not fooling anyone.

3. Smile - When is the last time you gave a good smile? I don’t mean the fake, uncomfortable smile you give someone you make eye contact with at the grocery store before darting your eyes to the floor. I’m talking about that big, genuine smile that you’d get if you saw an old friend who you had lost contact with for years. That smile. We need to smile like that more often. Smiling not only fills your soul, but it spreads to those around you. Seriously, how can one remain gloomy and sad when they’re around someone who is smiling that genuine smile?

4. Laugh Every Day - Tell jokes; get people to laugh with you. Its hard to be sad and depressed if everything is funny. Giggle, laugh heartily, no matter how silly you may think you are.

5. Give Compliments - Most people are so used to hearing about complaints; ask any Customer Support Rep or waitress. Most “service” industries are a thankless job, but we’d be lost without them. The clerk at the drive through window is a person just like you, with emotions and dreams just like you. If someone did a good job, tell them and watch their eyes lighten up. If a truck driver did a nice thing on the road, call the 800 number and let them know. Compliment people in front of others. If that waitress did a fantastic job, tell her so at the table for others to hear (and be sure to tell her manager). When someone is complimented, they will usually work harder to “live up” to that compliment or hope to receive another. We all like to be complimented.

6. Eat slowly - Set down your fork and take a breath in between each bite. You’ll notice you don’t eat as much because you’re more relaxed and you can listen to your body when it tells you it is full. Eating shouldn’t be a race; slow down and enjoy your food.

7. Continue Learning - Learn from everything you do. Learn from every experience. Always look at how you can benefit from an unfortunate circumstance. “Bad” things happen to everyone; accept your part of the responsibility and find the lesson in everything. There is no experience that you cannot benefit from; even if the benefit is only learning “don’t do that again”.

8. Write in a Journal or Blog - Write. As often as you can. I’ve been writing a blog for quite a long time; since 1998 in various forms. It amazes me to see the change in my thought process, logic, personality, etc. since the writings in 1998. It is enlightening to see some of the changes that I’ve experienced and think of the various events that changed my way of thinking. Journaling is a way of self-reflection; something you can look back on and learn from. Many people argue that “no one wants to read about what you did today”; and while that might be true for others, YOU would benefit greatly to go back and read about the trivial things you did ten years ago. It might give you more insight in to yourself.

9. Eat better - “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly fruits and veggies.” Pretty simple, but we don’t realize how much diet plays in our energy levels and attitude. But I’ve noticed I have higher energy levels, and I feel great about myself. Those same people almost constantly complain about not feeling well and not having any energy when they eat everything. Maybe my being mostly vegetarian with light meat doesn’t have anything to do with it, but maybe it does. Moderation is the goal; eat, but don’t eat in to gluttony. Stop when you’re no longer hungry; if you’re “full”, you’ve eaten too much.

10. Love and Appreciate Your Body - Your body is a temple; treat it as such and you will be rewarded. Doing things that cause harm to our bodies will make life much more difficult later on in life. Hindsight is always 20/20, and many people look back and say “I should have been more active” or “I should have used my legs more”. What you don’t use wastes away; especially those people who sit at a desk all day, or the ones who use a car to drive up to their mailbox. Get up every so often and walk around; stretch. Your body will thank you by keeping you mobile for many years to come.

All of these “tips” are centered around the self. Changing the self is how one can “be the change”. Always remember that this is your world; the things that happen here are directly affected by you. There are no ordinary moments; there are no trivial actions. Everything you do, everything you say (or don’t say) matters.

Look at every action and reaction and ask yourself, “Am I being the change I want to see in the world?”.

Mrs. All American Women 2009-2010 Appearance Schedule

October 13 - IM Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless
September 30 - October 3 - All American Pageants
September 25 - American Heart Association First Coast Heart Walk
September 10-12 Mrs. Florida International Pageant
August 19 - ToastMasters International speaker
August - 16-27 - Pets Meals on Wheels
August 12-15 - America's Perfect Miss Pageant
August 3 - American Heart Association Kick-off
July 25 - Miss Miracle for CMN Charity
July and August - Recylce collecting bottle caps for charity
July - Collected donated items for the Jacksonville Humane Society
July - Collecting Jeans and clothes for charity
July - 13- August 7 - Operation Stuff the Bus
July - 13-16 - United States Pageant
July - 4-11 - Miss Florida Week
June 1-3 - American Heart Day - Jeans week
October - December - Fill My Cup Book Moblie Drive
October 9 – Guest at Volusia County Speedway
October 10 – Walk for Making Strides Against Cancer
October 13 – 15 – Live United – United Way Jeans fund raiser
October 16 - Live United - United Way Car Wash
October 16 - Volunteer at Southern Women's Show
October 17 – Miss Daytona Beach (MAO)
October 19-30 - 4th Annual Pumpkin Patch -Volunteer
October 23 - 2009 Annual Children's Fall Festival -Volunteer
October 23 - Feeding at I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless
November 7 – Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler - “Tribute to the USO”
November 11 -Feeding at I. M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless
November 14 - Weekend For Warriors - North Florida Horse Therapies "Dinner In The Dirt"
November 23-24 - Live United - United Way Jeans fund raiser
November 24 - Giving Thanksgiving Baskets to Needed Families
November 25 - Judged - American Coed Pageant
November and December - Collections for Toys for Tots
November and December - St. Augustine Boys Ranch - Wish List
November and December -Collected Donations for Treats for the Troops
December - Create Hearts for the Holidays
December 3 - Volunteer at Teacher Supply Depot
December 17 - St. Augustine Winter Wonderland
December 19 - Beaclerc Manor Nursing Home-visit and pass out homemade Holiday Cards
December - Salvation Army Bell Ringer & donations
January - Donations to the Local Firehouse
January 9 - Miss Orlando -MAO
January 6 -Collection Boxes - Veteran's of America - volunteer
January 23 - Miss Jacksonville - MAO
January - 25-28 Live United - United Way Jeans fund raiser
January 30 - Miss America Viewing Party at Applebee's
January 30 - Miss Paxon - Judged Interviews
January and February - Load the Truck Collection boxes for Haiti Relief
February 3 - Sort donated items for a fire victim family in our community!
February 4 - Bank of America Community Volunteer Celebration
February 5 - National Wear RED Day - AHA
February - 6 - Miss Clay County/Miss North Florida -MAO
February - 16-18 - Live United -United Way Jeans fund raiser
February - 22 - Miss UF -MAO
February - 27 - Mr. St. John's County Day Pageant
March - CMN Fund Raiser event
March 6 - Miss Gainsville -MAO
March 20 - Mr. Lake Mary Pageant - Judging
March 27 - Performing at Nursing Home -Taylor Manor
March 28 - Honda Grand Prix Race
April 2 - Donations Salvation Army
April 7 - National Start! Walking Day
April 10- Visiting Nursing Home - Beaclerc Manor
April 11 - Teens Send off Party -Central Florida Coast girls
April 17 -18 - Mrs. Arkansas International Pageant
April 23 -24 - Miss Florida Outstanding Teen Pageant
April 25 -Mrs. Florida United States
May 3 - 17 - Book Drive
May 8 - Letter Carriers Food Drive
May 10 - 20 - CMN Fundraiser
May 13 - CMN - Jeans Day

If I - Prayer

If I could go back and undo some wrong I've done along the way. And Know that wounds that I have caused. Were healed of all the scars today.

If steps I've caused someone to take by thoughtless ways in which I've trod. Have led to a confused estate. Instead of simple trust in God.

If someone else still wanders on who followed my unsteady track. And lost his or her way for lack of light because my lantern globe was black.

If I could gather up and bind the wasted years that I have spent. And treat them, as they'd never been.

Today I'd be much more content, I know now, I'm pardoned from my undone past.

But even so the hurt is done. For out there somewhere in the dark. A soul is lost I might have won.

If - is answered in, On my knees in prayer.

Author Unknown

"Volunteerism Is the Name of the Game"

2.21.2011

Volunteering 101

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