‘Tis the season of giving. As a member of my school’s Interact Club (affiliated with Rotary International and Youth Central‘s Youth Volunteer Corps), I was able to give my time at an Inn from the Cold event on a Friday night.
During Calgary’s notorious snowstorms is when I feel most fortunate to have the life that I do, with a warm and cozy house and dinner on the table every night. As sad as it may sound, it is a well-known fact that even here in Calgary, people do not have these seemingly ordinary luxuries. That is why when I volunteered at Inn from the Cold, it made me feel even more lucky than I am. To start, there is nothing different about people who take advantage of the programs like these. They have needs just like everyone else and though there was never a doubt in my mind about it, volunteering with them only confirmed this fact.
This holiday season, it isn’t as important to buy into consumerism and purchase gifts that loved ones may not even enjoy. As cheesy as it sounds, I felt so fuzzy inside after helping set up beds and prepare a meal for fifteen people for the night. The best part was interacting with the guests during dinner and exchanging jokes and stories. With the Youth Volunteer Corps and the many volunteering organizations out there, taking advantage of volunteering opportunities shouldn’t be hard at all. Happy Holidays!