Can You build Us Some Shelves?

Anyone who knows  me well will tell you that I am one of the most unhandy men in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. That plays into this post which is about volunteering and assumptions.

I plan to volunteer in my semi-retirement and am in the process of narrowing it down to what and where I want to give my time.

About twenty five years ago I had a passion to give something back to my community. I created a list of places I would try to volunteer. My first three attempts were met with assumptions. Each, of the first three places I went, asked me if I could build them shelves! Only if you want those shelves to fall down within a week was how I replied.  The assumption was that since I am a man I must be able to build shelves. The other assumption was that, as a man, that must be the kind of volunteering I am interested in. No, there are plenty of other things a man can do. Those three places that wanted shelves were The Native American Museum on Fish Hatchery Road, The Boys and Girls Club of Allentown, and Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley.

I did end up having some good volunteer experiences after that. Turning Point gave me a chance by allowing me to babysit for the kids of battered mothers who were in the process of transitional housing. I, and a female friend, would babysit while the mothers would have a house meeting. It was fun. I never will forget this one little boy who was very protective of his little brother who he called Little Bit. Today they are probably both in their twenties or thirties! The other good volunteer experience was with Adult Literacy Center of Allentown. I taught a man how to read a bedtime story to his children. That was very rewarding. The Literacy Center is on my narrowing list of future volunteer opportunities.

So, if you are involved in an organization that needs help, please let me know. Unless it is shelves that they need.