Okay, it wasn't exactly volunteering as I could have opted out.
Tonight, I and a fellow co-worker, volunteered our time after work hours (though we still got paid to do so) to drive a group of senior citizens around the city and a neighboring town to see the Christmas lights. I had a lot of fun (although I consider my job a lot of fun anyway). I got to meet some new clients which is a rare treat (I hope I get to have them again on a regular basis).
They had a blast as well. I was surprised to learn, though, that they had no idea that the trip entailed going to the neighboring town. My first thought was: "Uh, oh" because we had already hit the business loop and it was my understanding that they all knew what the scheduled route was. It wasn't a problem at all though, they were actually excited about this new prospect. Bonus! Because, our neighboring town really goes all out with the Christmas decorations.
I must add though that there is a nativity on public property which I don't agree with (but, hey, I'm not a citizen of that community). If one of their citizens has a gripe about it I'll leave it up to them to file a complaint. Not my problem.
After we made our pass down the main drag we stopped at a local home that really goes all out (in a tactful way) with their Christmas decorations. We then went on to the local McDonalds (senior citizens? McDonalds? NO! LOL). We were scheduled to stop someplace where the clients could get a bite to eat and this is where they chose to go.
It was a lot of fun for me and a lot of fun for them. Many senior citizens don't drive or choose not to drive and are voluntarily homebound most of the time because they don't want to be a bother to their relatives when they need a ride somewhere; much less to drive around just to look at Christmas lights. It makes me feel really good when I see those smiles and hear those heartfelt thank yous'.
Oh, and it didn't cost them a dime. I work for a real non-profit funded by the State and the county I live in.
