Sally wants YOU to VOLUNTEER!

March 24, 2009: WOW! Did we get fired up this week or what! Sally Burnette, Community Volunteer Coordinator for the United Way, kept us both spellbound and service oriented. A graduate of our city’s Ashley Hall and the College of Charleston, Sally has worked with the founding of Spoleto and the local crisis hotline.

The 211 hotline is open 24/7 for people with all kinds of needs and is staffed by live VOLUNTEERS, just one of the many ways we can help others. As a cheerleader for volunteer services, Sally stresses the importance of establishing a connection with people who want to help others, but first the volunteers must come together. She rejects the often held comment that one is “just a volunteer”. Instead we should be passionate in saying “I AM a volunteer”.

In the Charleston area 46% of seniors volunteer their time, time that when translated to money would cost $73,000.000. By volunteering just 2 hours a week an individual can reap great rewards: improved mental and physical health; longevity, higher level of functionality, an opportunity to meet other people; and helping to bring families together. Many businesses like Meade Westvaco recognize that sponsoring volunteerism can improve employment recruitment and retention, help train employees, improve public perception of their company, and provide work opportunities to those who may have been “down-sized” or taken early retirement.

In 2008, Charleston conducted the LARGEST DAY OF CARING IN THE UNITED STATES! For those who wish to volunteer, projects include: reducing hunger, helping keep people safe, improving education, working for clean water and air, improving health care, promoting the arts and music, and making emergency help available. If you want to know more information go to the web at www.TUW.org, or simply call 211. Thank you, Sally, for giving us a challenge and a boost.

Reported by Fred Sales, Keyway Committee