Submitted by: Amanda Shaver, Volunteer Manager
The schedules that people keep these days can be incredibly daunting; as a society, we are busy. We are busy people with busy lives and schedules that we can maintain only with the kind of delicate balance of a tight-rope walker. I am definitely guilty of allowing myself to slip into auto-pilot mode—just running from one thing to the next, focused only on crossing things off of my ever-growing to-do list.
I am fortunate, though. I have a job that affords me the opportunity to find consistent inspiration, perspective and reminders of the importance of stepping away from the craziness of life to participate in efforts that are larger than ourselves—larger than our regular sphere of work, family, and friends. I work with people whose lives are no less busy than my own, and yet they take time out of their hectic schedules to generously give their time and talents through volunteer efforts. Whether it is by leading an office or community book drive, reading to children through one of BookSpring’s programs, labeling and sorting books in the BookSpring office, delivering books to program sites or organizing office-wide service events, BookSpring volunteers go to incredible lengths to make a difference in the Austin community. They do it with awesome work ethics, phenomenal energy, and unwavering positivity.
Our volunteers range from the very young – Little Helping Hands, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts – to the seniors, like the 80 and above Golden Kiwanis Club volunteers, and all the groups in between. In any given week, I may have the opportunity to see the social action of a group of high school honor society students from LASA who happily wake up early on a Saturday morning to dedicate precious weekend time to labeling children’s books. In that same week, I can also spend several hours with a group of Hewlett-Packard volunteers who step away from their busy offices to happily read stories with kids at McBee Elementary and fold origami flower petals for BookSpring events. I am humbled by the overwhelming support of Keller Williams Realty—sending approximately 200 volunteers to BookSpring program sites all over the city.
The inspiration is endless.
More than any other job I have had, serving as the BookSpring volunteer manager has given me more joy than I could have imagined. So, during this National Volunteer Month, allow me to thank you,
all of you, who set aside your own schedules to dedicate time to helping BookSpring and the children we serve. Thank you for all that you do for the Austin community, and thank you for all that you do to inspire me.
Happy National Volunteer Month!
