Planting Seeds Blog: Volunteering

I am embarrassed to say that I think about volunteering more than I actually volunteer. Good intentions, bad execution. I seem to always have excuses, perhaps legit, but still excuses. No time, too busy. And then there is the issue of getting started. What should I do? How much time is it going to take? Will it really make a difference?

I attended a cleanup organized by Scenic Hudson many years ago on a strip of land near West Point Foundry Preserve, right across the river from West Point, that Scenic Hudson had recently purchased. There were about 15 of us, and we spent a good four or five hours picking up papers, bottles, tires and if my memory serves me, a few large appliances.

After the work, looking back over the piece of land, I was filled with a tremendous sense of satisfaction that this “dump” had been transformed. I felt connected to the land. And I had a great outdoor experience with a bunch of friends. It was contagious, and I wanted to do it again. Life got busy. Fast forward and here I am thinking back fondly on this time wishing I could recreate it (with my kids in tow).

In a recent Huffington Post article, I read about a very new Web site (in alpha stage), “All for Good” – “Inspired by the call of President Obama to engage more Americans in service, a group of individuals from the technology, marketing and public sectors came together to build an open source application currently managed by Google that allows you to find and share volunteer activities.” Yea. A Web site set up to do all the legwork for me.

No more excuses. So check out All for Good. And here is some info on ways you can volunteer for Scenic Hudson. And even if you can’t set aside time to haul garbage or clean trails, e-advocacy campaigns can be hugely successful. Our political figures want to hear from us. So send e-mails, and make phone calls on issues that are important to you.

No more talking or writing about it for me. Time to get busy.

In 2006, Francesca Olivieri co-founded the company, sage baby an online eco-friendly baby store offering everything from organic clothes and skincare to furniture. She also writes a monthly blog for The Family Groove as well as contributing articles to Daily Candy Kids, YogaCity, Cookie Magazine online, Citiscoop, and NRDC's simple steps. Francesca lives in New York City with her husband and three kids, 8, 6 and 4