Volunteering my time during the holidays

[Ewadun]

Boy, I thought I was lonely. Until I started doing volunteer work. The holidays are the loneliest times for both active users and sober addicts. Usually they've either blown their relationships with their families, or they have no family at all, moreless friends. Also since it's hard to find someone who cares, without a hidden agenda, addicts tend to seek their comfort looking for the genie in the bottle, pipe, joint, etc.

Therefore, during the holidays, I serve a 12 step fellowship in creating both a recovering and holiday atmosphere for addicts. The only requirement is that they want to get sober. We rent banquet halls, serve food and obtain guest speakers for 24 hour marathon meetings. (This helps keep em off the streets, not to mention lower the holiday crime rates). We'll also have a game room where people can play cards, dominoes, chess, checkers, etc. We raffle off gift packages for the newcomer. We also travel to hospitals, jails and institutions. People helping people. People hugging strangers. After so many hugs, I've yet to not see a person start crying! We don't care about what you've done, or how little you have. We care about you getting sober and what lengths you're willing to go to obtain sobriety, even if just for a day! After hugging so many people and seeing them have a moment of clarity , I feel extremely blessed and grateful. It also feels good to be part of a team committed to making the impossible possible.

To anyone reading this, I don't think it's enough to just give clothing, toys, money or food. Time is the true currency of life! Your time means so much more. Words cannot describe the incredible joy of getting into the trenches and doing some unglorified, hardcore voluntary service work. It's made me a better person.

 

[daye62]

Nov. 18, 2009 at 8:11 PM

As a recovering addict I may be less than objective when I say that recovering people are some of the most beautiful people I know.You are proof of that.

[IndigoGirl1971]

Nov. 21, 2009 at 12:43 AM

What a wonderful soul you are!! I actually went to a women's shelter/ food bank today to donate food & asked about volunteering.  They said they'll need some people for Christmastime. I've been wanting to do this for a long time. I'll be calling to get a spot on the volunteer list.