Beginning in May this year, I was given the opportunity to volunteer at the Sanford Children’s Hospital every other Sunday. I volunteer as a pediatric companion, so I am solely there to hang out with the kids. I have realized throughout my time as a volunteer the enrichment it has given me in my life. It has allowed me to appreciate and recognize all that I have to be thankful for and that I should never take those things for granted.

Volunteering has helped me personally grow to be a more thankful person and has given me the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone to help others. As well as being more grateful, volunteering has given me the prize of being happier with myself.

After my hours of volunteering, I feel a rush of fulfillment. I feel as though I have done something good for the children to possibly brighten their day. Volunteering is capable of personal growth.

Everyone is struggling in some way, some worse than others. We all need to stick together to help in any way we can. By volunteering within any setting, we can make a difference. We can volunteer with the kids and help them find joy in a rough patch. Or we can volunteer with the elderly and help them find more joy within their days. Many opportunities for volunteering exist and they all lead to making a difference. Be a person that makes a difference. Here are just a few ideas for you to go out and achieve personal growth as well as make a difference.

Brookings Boys and Girls Club
 Sign up to volunteer and to help make a difference in the future generation

Brookings Health System Volunteering
 https://www.brookingshealth.org/volunteers

Take a look at the website and pick from a variety of opportunities to help enrich the lives of the patients and their family or help the medical staff.

Sanford Health Volunteering
https://www.sanfordhealth.org/volunteer-opportunities

Take a look at the website and pick from the variety of opportunities to make a difference.

Habitat for Humanity
 http://brookingshabitat.org/volunteer/

 Volunteer your skills to help families in the community gain or improve their housing situations.

Humane Society
Take your time to go hang out and play with the animals… they love it!

For a list of more opportunities go to https://volunteer.helplinecenter.org/