Volunteering without "Volunteering"

[trekswithbaggage]

I did this a lot during our previous stint in (and can't wait to continue it). We were in Germany...with a ton of single soliders in the company. I couldn't stand to see those poor guys in the Commissary trying to figure out what to get for a holiday meal or heading to the DFAC. We had an open invitation for the singles to drop in any time for dinner, holidays especially. It was a bit of volunteering without volunteering.

Another fave of mine was to mix up a huge batch of breakfast burritos, slip them in the office fridge at the company barracks and leave a note taped to the CQ desk that there were free burritos in the fridge. DH told me once that several of the soldiers just couldn't believe that a wife would do that...even some of the married ones!

Anyone else volunteer without volunteering?

[Janet]

What a great idea! I remember when we were at Fort Hood our FRG leader came up with this great idea for our soldiers who were getting ready to come out of the field after being there for over a month. Most of the time when soldiers come in from the field they have to get sensitive items cleaned, accounted for, and put away and other misc. tasks. Well our FRG leader called each of the spouses and asked them to make 10 sandwiches - nothing fancy. We all did and we took them to the hangar and when the soldiers came in they were so surprised and so appreciative. They were just so glad to get that little bite to eat to get them through the hour or so of clean-up. I just thought that was an amazing idea and your burrito story reminded me of that!!! Believe me, I know how much soldiers can appreciate the little things! Thanks for sharing girl!

[trekswithbaggage]

We did that for my BF's hubby and his platoon when I was visiting her, lol! She wanted to run through McDonald's and get a bunch of stuff but I convinced her to get something that wouldn't taste horrible cold because they were notorious for getting in later than planned...a huge party sub and some chips. They loved it!

The best part was my first experience with a hangered Blackhawk...unbelievable and way too cool.

[Infantrywife4life]

Well every post that I have been at my first thing that I do is get to know my neighbors and give them a batch of cookies and a coupon book with gifts like(i.e.1 night for a date night, animal sitting). As a Mayor for my village every time we get someone new I take something over to them and give them all the information that they have missed. Also when they leave we through them a goodbye lunch/dinner.

Now for my husbands platoon/company every Friday I bake something new and send it to the guys. Also any new wives that come to the unit I hold a lunch/bunch to do a Getting to Know You.

I do all of this on-top of my volunteering at ACS. I must say it feels sooo good to give back to those that may not need your help but appreciate it! Between my Mayor's program, PWOC, AFAP, FRG and AFTB I always make sure that I give back to not only the military community but to the civilians.

This year we are going to go help out at the Ronald McDonald house in Denver and Topeka. We always every year pick a place for the whole family which is my husband and our son who is 4 to volunteer at off post. My mother taught me at a young age that giving back to others can be the best gift you can give a person and that has always stuck with me and I'm telling my son the same thing she told me.

[*Henderson]

[quote="trekswithbaggage"]I did this a lot during our previous stint in (and can't wait to continue it). We were in Germany...with a ton of single soliders in the company. I couldn't stand to see those poor guys in the Commissary trying to figure out what to get for a holiday meal or heading to the DFAC. We had an open invitation for the singles to drop in any time for dinner, holidays especially. It was a bit of volunteering without volunteering.

quote]

Hi Jessica M.

I’m not sure if you were tuned in to Army Wife Talk Radio last night, but we announced you as our “It’s About Time” contest winner for this week.

Here’s why:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=654
It’s holiday time, and your post was a good reminder for us all to check with single soldiers
and military spouses with a deployed loved one to see if they have plans for Thanksgiving or Christmas festivities.

For your contribution, you have won your choice set of U.S. Army Watches. One for you and one for your husband. Please watch your email for directions on how to claim your prize.

We’re happy to recognize your efforts and wish you all the best, Star

[trekswithbaggage]

Holy crud! Thanks Star, lol. I missed out last night...shopping with the mother, ugh...and it wasn't up for me to hear before I went to bed,

[trekswithbaggage]

Well every post that I have been at my first thing that I do is get to know my neighbors and give them a batch of cookies and a coupon book with gifts like(i.e.1 night for a date night, animal sitting).

What a great idea! We did neighborhood bbq's in the summer but things slacked off as the cold set in. I'll have to remember the cookie thing.

[Infantrywife4life]

[/quote]What a great idea! We did neighborhood bbq's in the summer but things slacked off as the cold set in. I'll have to remember the cookie thing.[/quote]

Thanks. I stole that idea from my very first military family who helped get me introduced to the neighborhod. So evey since then I do that. Also I just volunteered with our local USO which I'm Really excited about and I start that tomorrow because I can take Peyton with me.

[trekswithbaggage]

There's NOTHING here for me to volunteer at...seriously. Even the local VFW is fighting off volunteers...I guess that is the dangers of a small, small, small (did I mention small?) community. I'm too far from a post (1.5hrs) to do any volunteering there either. I have to save my ideas and energy for when we finally get to wherever we're going. Which is actually okay for right now, as trying to juggle school for me, school for the boys, the house and everything else is a little frustrating. I've still not found my stride (3 weeks in) in full but hopefully I'll get things balanced soon!!

[*Henderson]

Well every post that I have been at my first thing that I do is get to know my neighbors and give them a batch of cookies and a coupon book with gifts like(i.e.1 night for a date night, animal sitting)....This year we are going to go help out at the Ronald McDonald house in Denver and Topeka. We always every year pick a place for the whole family which is my husband and our son who is 4 to volunteer at off post. My mother taught me at a young age that giving back to others can be the best gift you can give a person and that has always stuck with me and I'm telling my son the same thing she told me.

Amanda: You're the winner of our "It's About Time" contest winner for the week of Nov. 23. Don't forget to send your selection of U.S. Army Watches.

Here’s why:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=654#p1240
It’s holiday time, and your post about giving back (to new wives AND teaching your son to give back to the community) was especially heart warming.

For your contribution, you have won your choice set of U.S. Army Watches. One for you and one for your husband. Please remember to check out the watches and send us your selection.

We hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving break, Star