Inspire by Example Part Two

Meals on Wheels – The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest national organization composed of and representing local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the U.S. Territories. These local programs are our MOWAA Members.

All told, there are some 5,000 local Senior Nutrition Programs in the United States. These programs provide well over one million meals to seniors who need them each day. Some programs serve meals at congregate locations like senior centers, some programs deliver meals directly to the homes of seniors whose mobility is limited, and many programs provide both services.

While remarkable, the one million meals per day figure underestimates the size and shape of our network and its reach and influence in communities across America. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of seniors who receive meals, there are many thousands of professionals employed at the various local Senior Nutrition Programs across the U.S. More notable than that is the virtual army of volunteers who also "work" for these programs. It is said that this group, numbering between 800,000 and 1.7 million individuals, is the largest volunteer army in the nation.

Friends of theNational Zoo (FONZ) Volunteers offer invaluable support to the National Zoo and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (formerly known as the Conservation and Research Center). There are fun and exciting opportunities for all interests whether they be working with the public or behind the scenes, plants and animals, independently and in groups, or on weekdays and weekends. Volunteers are exposed to amazing learning opportunities while helping the Zoo with fun education and conservation activities! Find out about benefits of volunteering.

Although most volunteers must be at least 18 years old, we do offer several programs for younger teens. An interest in animals and their conservation is a must.

Youth Volunteer Corps of America (YVCA) Strengthening Communities through Youth Services.  Since 1987 YVC has been engaging 11-18 year olds in structured, supervised service learning projects in and out of school.

All Hands Volunteers  All Hands Volunteers is a US-based, non-profit organization, that provides hands-on assistance to survivors of natural disasters around the world, with maximum impact and minimum bureaucracy.

By supporting volunteers with housing, meals, tools, and organized work at no charge we are able to provide free and effective response services to communities in need. Our programs are directed by the needs of each community in which we work, ensuring a timely, relevant, and culturally sensitive response.

Senior Corps  Americans over 55 have a lifetime of experience to share, and the desire to make a real difference in their world. They’ve managed households, been business owners and nurses, farmers and salespeople, artists and executives. Now they are ready to put their unique talents and expertise to work in their communities, and enrich their own lives in the process.

Senior Corps connects today’s over 55s with the people and organizations that need them most. We help them become mentors, coaches or companions to people in need, or contribute their job skills and expertise to community projects and organizations. Conceived during John F. Kennedy's presidency, Senior Corps currently links more than 500,000 Americans to service opportunities. Their contributions of skills, knowledge, and experience make a real difference to individuals, nonprofits, and faith-based and other community organizations throughout the United States.

Senior Corps offers several ways to get involved. Volunteers receive guidance and training so they can make a contribution that suits their talents, interests, and availability.

Volunteer Fire Fighters - Have been providing communities firefighting, rescue services, first aid, and other services for over 100 years.  My son-in-law who lives in the greater Seattle, Washington metro area was a volunteer fireman for years before joining the firefighters on the water front in Seattle.  I also have a good friend who he and his wife are volunteer EMS for one of our local counties.  In both instances, these people provide excellent service – but were/are looked down upon by the professional of their chosen careers/area of expertise.  The bottom line, without these services being provided by these and other volunteers – the job would simply not get done.  In some communities, that is all they have – volunteers.  Having saying that, we still donate every year to the VFFD and to our local FD, which is a Volunteer house.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation.

Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) - is a network of health care professionals, organizations, corporations and donors united in a common commitment to improving global health through education.