"A Donation of More Than Your Time"

Karen Sherbine, MIPH Volunteer and husband, Paul Sherbine

Woven into the fabric of our society is an institution that for many is the difference between swimming vs. drowning. For many people there would be no surviving if not for volunteers. This institution is called volunteerism. Forty years ago, President Kennedy challenged us to "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

Individuals, families and groups in our own neighborhoods make improvements in the lives of others every day by giving their time in places where there isn’t enough paid staff to handle the workload. A woman may be a mentor to a young mother; a college intern may tutor a pre-school child, or a group may conduct a fundraising event to support an after-school program. Both types of donations"money and extra hands"are required by non-profit groups to help the needy. Volunteering serves a variety of functions:

• Improves the lives of those who need help the most
• Boosts the quality of life of the person who is doing the volunteering
• Assists the over-burdened staff working at a particular charity
• Enriches our society as a whole

(L to R) Mary Beth Hronich, Janine Martin, Karen Sherbine, Maggie Glynn

I volunteer for all the above reasons and more, but it was 9/11 that made me reflect on life and how fragile it is. One morning you’re comfortable, swimming along through life just fine, the next morning you’re drowning, not knowing how you’re going to survive. I was extremely lucky to have a spouse who survived the World Trade Center attack. The extraordinary event put into motion a strong desire within me to reach out and help others with less.

So I encourage everyone to try to imagine everything you have and how easily an icy patch in the road of life could take it all away. Pick up the phone and find out how you can help MIPH serve the homeless population. (Call 732.729.7770)

-- Karen Sherbine