The Gift is in The Giving
local volunteers Reap Heartfelt Rewards
by linda Sechrist
M
ohammed Ali has noted that service to others is tous return gifts are among the wide-ranging motivations
the payment we make for our space here on Earth. for many who freely offer their time and services. Wanting
His heartfelt comment doubtless resulted from his to feel needed and getting to know a community; keeping
firsthand experiences with charity work. Along the way, he busy; having the satisfaction of creating an impact; becom-
has helped serve 232 million meals worldwide and hand- ing an agent of change; making new friends and being part
delivered food and medical supplies to thousands of children of a team—the reasons for volunteering are as diverse as the
around the world. Like many of us, he also financially sup- individuals who serve and the organizations in need.
ports other charitable initiatives important to him. In our own backyard, where a plethora of charitable
Media coverage touting the compassionate works of organizations seek volunteers, Natural Awakenings was
such megastars often serves to draw attention to good causes, privileged to interview six individuals whose quest to make
but it also can prompt many individuals to feel that they are a difference and give back to their local community has led
comparatively ineffective and helpless to do anything about them to realize how giving and receiving are one.
society’s challenges. Although few among us can match the For two years, Ralph munch has served as the volun-
donations or fundraising abilities of Bono, Brad Pitt or Bill teer coordinator for St. Matthew’s House, the only homeless
Gates, we all are capable of making a difference by volun- shelter in Collier County, which recently merged with the
teering our time, talents, gifts and services to people and Friendship House shelter. Munch comes by his selflessness
organizations just beyond our doorstep. via his role model, an 84-year old mother who the State of
Richard Adler, a member of the NextAge Speakers Missouri recently recognized as an outstanding citizen for
Bureau and a leader in the field of aging and technology, her 27 years of volunteer work.
notes that a large and active group of volunteers is one of the Driven by a need to keep busy after the death of several
hallmarks of a healthy society. According to U.S. Department family members, the Naples/St. Louis resident has found
of Labor statistics, about 60.8 million of America’s more than plenty to do. Munch now spreads his 50-hour volunteer
300 million people volunteered through or for an organiza- week among three St. Matthew’s thrift stores.
tion at least once from September 2006 to September 2007. He notes that for five years, he had been a customer of
Currently, only one in four Americans volunteers, a percent- the stores. “I admired how the organization offered food, a
age that has declined from 28.8 percent in 2005 to 26.2 home, spiritual support and a structured environment, with
percent last year. life-changing programs for the homeless in the community,”
Perhaps what we need to boost our commitment to Munch explains. “Now, I’m in a position to give. But what
doing good is remembering that although volunteering is I receive in return—when I see how St. Matthew’s helps
about giving, it is equally about receiving. Such serendipi- people turn their lives around so that they can be productive
2 Collier / Lee Counties
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