It is well that Anarchists favor a society of volunteer organizations to maintain order and asses the needs of people. I was watching John Stossel’s 20/20 episode of ‘Cheap in America’ on how the wealthy people DO give back to society, and was talking about the reasons why they don’t donate more. Finally he mentioned how the U.S gives the most to poor nations from the volunteer’s,charity, and NPO’s more then the people of any other country(and about 5x as much as the American Government itself).
He mentioned how Volunteer work overall improves your health, and showed scientifical proof and stories of people who have had their health and well-being improved.
I’m not sure if this is an alternative for me though, for improving my happiness. I garuntee you none of those people really had any mental illnesses and have wanted to end their lives over it, such as myself. I don’t think Volunteering will be profound enough to increase MY personal health.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/stosselvideo You can watch ‘Cheap in America’ here.
I volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for 2 reasons: It’s an easy way to learn some construction skills and because I enjoy it.
If you’re sitting around doing nothing it’s a good way to get your mind off your problems. The last thing you need is to sit at home and ruminate.
I’m the secretary of the Kenosha Area Noon Optimist Club, and we hold several fundraisers in order to then dispense funds to other organizations which help kids (like the Boys & Girls Club) and to facilitate our own work with kids, such as the raffle for bikes we have at an Expo and purchasing gifts for a needy family at giftmas time for a women’s shelter.
I’ve done my share of volunteering. Not into it much anymore. Good way to meet chicks. Gets you out of the house.
I don’t. Never have really.
I’ve volunteered a few times for the Salvation Army, many moons ago. I’ve also donated a metric ton of things to the local Goodwill.
Volunteered at a library for a whole summer once… Freaking woman with her epically challenged teenager came in every day I was there! If ur gonna kill yourself you might as well do somthing useful