Reviewed By Michael Smith, MD
on Wednesday, March 26, 2003
WebMD Medical News
March 26, 2003 -- Feeling stressed and anxious? Helping out can be a great way to deal with all the emotions that surround such troubling times, say experts. In fact, if you want to help out -- donate time, energy, or money -- all sorts of volunteer opportunities are just a click away.
"It decreases anxiety and stress," says George Bray, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "You're not just worrying about things, you're taking action, making a difference, doing something."
Indeed, volunteering is about improving your community, our world, says Jason Willett, a spokesman for VolunteerMatch.com. "We believe people want to help each other, and the Internet has given us the tools to help people do that."
"The personal reward is hard to articulate," Willett tells WebMD. Volunteer opportunities put you in touch with new people, even if it's through email, and you feel like you've made a difference.
How to get started? If your bent is "volunteer" or "humanitarian," just plug those words into a search engine and let your mouse be your guide. But make sure the operation is legitimate, warns Bray. "Do some surfing, check into them. There are some scams out there."
Among the organizations offering volunteer opportunities that may pop up:
The Hunger Site Network
A click on The Hunger Site supports food for millions of starving people around the world. Now, the Hunger Site Network has partnered with Mercy Corps to support mobile medical clinics helping families living in rural parts of northern Iraq.
Sure, it's not a "volunteer opportunity" per se. You're donating money -- and not really very much -- to help lots of people. Buy a "Mercy Kit" for $40, and you have helped 25 people in northern Iraq, who have no access to medical care for themselves or their families, says Tim Kunin, CEO of the Hunger Site Network. In addition, The Hunger Site will fund 100 cups of food for each Mercy Kit you buy.
Instead of buying that grande latte every morning, you can provide water cans and hygiene for three displaced families for one month. For a bit more, you provide blankets for a displaced family of six. For a bunch more ($500), you've bought lifesaving medicine for 300 Iraqi children. (Remember, those charitable contributions help at tax time.)
"We're getting an instant response ... a tremendous response," Kunin says. "The ad just went up [on the web site], but we've already sold a lot of them. The highest click-throughs on our site have been to Mercy Corps. There's a lot of interest in being helpful."
Network for Good
Nearly 20 groups, all offering volunteer opportunities, are at your fingertips on the Network for Good web site. Among them: "Operation Dear Abby" or "For Kids" let you email your support to men and women serving in the military, or their children. How much easier could they make it?
Cash donations can provide emergency aid for military personnel and families through the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Fund, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
Free phone cards are given to servicemen and women overseas, made possible through donations to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors allows you to donate to those who have lost a loved one in the Armed Forces.
VolunteerMatch
"Virtual Volunteering" is exactly what this nonprofit online service offers. You can hook up with community service organizations around the world that need "virtual" help -- over 30,000 of them.
There are 29 different volunteer categories -- "no shortage of volunteer opportunities," says Willett. For people with a tight schedule, virtual volunteering is a great option. For example, if you know Farsi, you can provide some online help to an Afghan Women's International Organization.
Just complete an online personal profile, which can remain anonymous. Then scan the thousands of openings for those that pique your interest and match your time restraints. Over 80% of the volunteer opportunities get filled, Willett reports.
American Red Cross
Disaster and the Red Cross are nearly synonymous -- and that's certainly true in Iraq. This agency has been helping displaced Iraqis and refugees from bordering countries since before the conflict began. Money to buy basic food items and health supplies is urgently needed, the web site says.
Tammy Moore, a volunteer, helps get emergency messages to people who are deployed. If there's a death in the family, a critical illness, or a birth, she verifies that information and funnels it to the serviceman or woman in the field. People who are interested in volunteer opportunities -- or who want to donate money -- should check out the Red Cross web site or VolunteerMatch.
Here's another idea: A school can adopt a soldier. Moore says her godson's elementary class is adopting her husband, who is stationed in Kuwait. "I provided them with his picture and address, and the kids are going to write letters of support, send drawings. He's going to be very surprised, but he's also going to feel very much appreciated."
Many volunteer opportunities take just a few minutes of your day. But the effort means much to those who benefit.
"This is a difficult time for a lot of military people and their families," Moore tells WebMD. "The Red Cross network helps support the emotional needs of families and loved ones. In war and in peace, we provide that link."
SOURCES: George Bray, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. Jason Willett, spokesman, VolunteerMatch.com. Tim Kunin, CEO, Hunger Site Network. Tammy Moore, volunteer, The American Red Cross. VolunteerMatch.com. The Hunger Site Network. The American Red Cross web site.
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