What does giving back mean? Such an easy question has befuddled me on more than one occasion, especially as an individual so active with Pebble Tossers. I believe that community service is a personal ideology similar to that of what music people may choose to listen to or not. In my volunteer experience, there have been dozens of different motivations to attend the volunteer event, donate the non-perishable goods, purge my wardrobe or even hold the door open for a stranger but was the impact any less important? Let us try to avoid the philosophical debate and get down to the heart of volunteering. Volunteers draw different conclusions at the end of every event: “I’m hungry”, “I would like a shower!”, “When can we do this again?” “Another day of sorting boxes” and so on. Regardless of what emotions may be carrying on at that given time, consider the impact of what just happened. As volunteers, we make it possible for nonprofits to end homelessness in Atlanta one person at a time. Together we have made significant progress in the sustainability and impact of hundreds of organizations and more importantly, millions of people’s lives through just a few actions. To be honest, I absolutely do not want to wake up early and run a 5K, but I do want to see cancer cured in this decade. Let us be the means by which Atlanta is free of homelessness, has the best educational programs available, has ended sex trafficking, and dozens of other amazing causes. Now it is your turn, what has service meant to you? How can you get involved and be a part of the generation that fixes the needs of the community? Pebble Tossers wants to hear YOUR voice, so tell us by any means possible.
Ben Francis for Pebble Tossers. © Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. www.pebbletossers.org