Editor's Notebook: Y Volunteer?

Yesterday was Patch's 100th site launch day, and Patch employees companywide participated in what we call "Give 5." This is a program in which Patch employees volunteer their time on five different occasions throughout the fiscal year.

After doing some research on the Basking Ridge area and collecting information about various organizations always looking for volunteers, I felt my time would be best used at the Somerset Hills YMCA.

After getting in touch with Volunteer Director Sylvia Velez, we hashed out a game plan late last week: Show up at 9 am and we'll give you something to do, she said. For a business that runs more than 200 programs throughout the year, I wasn't too worried about filling in for someone, somewhere in the organization.

After showing up late – thanks to a forgotten wallet and breakfast on the run – I didn't feel very respectful of the whole lending time to help out thought process.

But Sylvia was a terrific host and eager to get me started. My first task included standing in for someone out of the office (sounds like a recurring theme the past two weeks). The Y is trying to develop some focus groups for potential programs and is creating a master list of who's who in town. Sylvia asked me to do some internet-based digging to retrieve the names and contact information of the area's library directors. And when it came time to fill out the information for the Bernards Twp. Library, can you guess where I went online? Basking Ridge Patch, of course!

So I completed that task and moved on to my next tour of duty, which included sitting in with a group of 17 three- and four-year olds during story time and craft creation. When I entered the room, I was introduced to Susan Eberle, the group leader. Eberle was being assisted by Abby Way and Stephanie Michenfelder, who both work for the Y. Then Susan introduced me to the group of children sitting on the floor in a circle. "Can we all say hello to our friend Jason?" Susan requested of the group. They obliged, hesitantly, which was way better than the screaming and crying reaction I expected.

Ms. Stephanie (as the kids referred to her) read a book titled "The Little Firefly." The group seemed to enjoy it initially, but within a few minutes restlessness filled the circle. Ms. Stephanie finished the book and the organized chaos began. A few kids were chosen by name to create their own fireflies with Ms. Susan out of popsicle sticks, glue and glitter, while others headed over to the coloring table being manned by Ms. Abby. The rest of the kids hung around and played with toy bugs, as they continued their learning about insects, and every so often pretended to attack Ms. Stephanie with various toy creatures.

I learned that these kids, for the most part, are at the Somerset Hills YMCA from 7:30 am to 6 pm. So for the room's supervisors, these can be long days. I was only there for a brief stint (in relation to the 10.5 hours per day the program runs) but realized that any help – an extra set of eyes or a pair of hands to help create crafts – would go a long way.

Easy to notice was the difference in tasks I was volunteering for. I went from computer work and data entry to learning about fireflies with pre-schoolers. I, admittedly, don't volunteer enough. We all have excuses, some of which may be viable, but a few hours here or there on occasion can have a lasting impact on a person or organization. Volunteering makes you feel good, I realized. But it's obviously meant to benefit the folks you're helping out.

So, on that note, go sign up for something in your community. Help out with arts and crafts for kids, pull some weeds for your neighbor with the bad back, serve food to those in need.

Whatever it is, know that your help is greatly appreciated.