Trending
From an early age, my father taught me the importance of giving back. As a postman in our city for nearly 30 years, he saw the needs of our community that often went unnoticed--from seniors living in isolation to families waiting for housing support. He taught my brother and I that community isn't something we simply live in; it's something we help build.
One of my earliest memories is accompanying my dad alongside an older gentleman he had befriended while delivering mail to Heritage Village. The man had no family in the area, no real connections outside of the group home he lived in. My dad and he bonded over a love of literature, particularly Lord of the Rings. One Saturday the three of us went to watch The Fellowship of the Ring on the big screen.
I will never forget the pure joy our friend experienced that day, from something as simple as going to the movies. That lesson stayed with me.
Outside of my career roles for organizations such as the Salvation Army and the Jamestown Farmers Market, I have volunteered over the last several decades for a variety of causes; as a mentor at Brocton Central School and member of the Busti Historical Society; as a server for Prevention Works annual Spaghetti Dinner and committee member of Jamestown Pride; as a welcome attendant for the Whirlybird Music Festival; scrubbing animal pens at the Chautauqua County Humane Society. I have been a part of so many incredible community efforts.
My husband and I joined the Jamestown Lions Club in 2018, and almost ten years later, for one hour a month, we work alongside other members to organize fundraisers, distribute monies or supplies to groups such as the ARISE Center, and plan larger support programs, such as investing in the Seeing Eye Project, a NY based group that provides seeing-eye dogs to those living with vision loss. Along the way, I've gained something just as valuable as the work itself: lifelong friendships, intergenerational connections, and a deeper understanding of the place I call home.
People sometimes joke that I can never sit still--that I'm always involved in something. And they're right. But the real reason I keep saying yes is simple: someone must.
Our community's pool of volunteers, particularly younger volunteers, is shrinking. We also see this as a national trend; volunteering in the U.S. fell by roughly 23 percent over the past decade. My husband and I sometimes find ourselves among the youngest people in the service organizations we belong to. That should give us pause.
When fewer people volunteer, serve on nonprofit boards or join service clubs, programs, events or organizations can disappear--not necessarily because they are no longer valuable, but because there aren't enough people willing to carry them forward.
Of course, communities change. Some programs run their course. Others need to evolve to meet new needs. But when you see the work happening behind the scenes, it is impossible not to appreciate how much depends on volunteers. Each group contributes to the incredible tapestry that is our city. From the Lion's Club providing eyeglasses to children, to the Audubon offering exciting and educational nature camps; the Chautauqua County Humane Society finding homes for lonely dogs and cats; to the Jamestown Rotary clearing trash off the streets.
What I hope people can know is this: civic engagement doesn't have to consume your life as it has mine (to my great benefit I might add).
You can volunteer at an annual event. Spend an hour a month with a service club, or movies with a friend. Help a nonprofit with social media from the comfort of your home. Serve on a committee. Mentor a student. Donate your skills instead of your money.
I understand how busy life can be. I'm a young mother, I work full time, and I have a family, friendships, and a home to care for. I also recognize that volunteering is a privilege; time, transportation, and financial resources aren't equally available to everyone.
However, it is my sincere hope that more people my age, and the generations after me, recognize the impact that they can have on our collective future, and the community we live in. I understand and see the concerns that exist in Jamestown, and our county. I am often the first to point out our flaws.
But to live in the world we want to, we must practice what we preach. I want my daughter to grow up as I did; knowing that there is always a place for you within your community, and that even one small act of kindness can make a difference. There is nothing greater than investing your time, talents and care into the community you live in.
I challenge anyone, of any age, who reads this to take just 20 minutes of your day to research volunteer opportunities in our community. A great place to start is to approach an organization that you already love, receive services from, or frequent. What are their needs? You may be surprised by how little they're asking--and how much your "yes" can mean.
Linnea Haskins is a Jamestown resident.