Now that the first few days of 2017 have turned the pages on the calendar, have you turned over any new pages? You remember, those New Year’s resolutions: Spend less, eat healthier, less time on Facebook. Still sticking with it? If not, you may not be alone. Creditdonkey.com shared the statistics that 80 percent of those who joined a gym in January quit within five months. Yikes. That’s a high percentage.
What if we made a resolution for someone else?
Not for them to do, but one that would benefit someone or something other than ourselves. We have so many opportunities to give of our time and resources right here on the North Beach.
Why not share some of your time with bright eager minds and giggly wiggly kids.
The Ocean Shores Elementary School is always looking for volunteers. Fun stuff like reading to students, helping with book fairs, field trip chaperones. Contact the great staff at OSE at (360) 289-2147 or email them at volunteer.ose@gmail.com for more information.
Check out the district website for more information on volunteering at http://www.northbeachschools.org/
Love animals? As of the end of December, PAWS needed volunteers. Specifically, for the position of Volunteer Coordinator.
A Volunteer Coordinator would be vital in touching base with the volunteers that help the animals on site. Also, they would keep a schedule for dog care. PAWS also had a need for an Intake Coordinator.
Duties would be filling out intake forms and managing meds for intake shelter animals. Finally, a transportation driver for dogs. They would pick up dogs that are coming to the shelter and take dogs to the vet. There is a vehicle so you don’t have to use your own car. Please contact Bert at (360) 593-4413.
There’s a great group of volunteers making a difference in the lives of those battling breast cancer: Grays Harbor Knocker Knitters.
These ladies knit knockers (prosthetics) for ladies who have survived breast cancer, or who have had a mastectomy and require a prosthetic. They are given to the ladies free of charge. We have some knockers available at the Anchor Thrift Store and at North Beach Medical Equipment in Ocean Shores.
They need help in this endeavor to get the word out to the ladies that need our help. Regardless of where women receive a knocker, there is no cost to them. North Beach Medical Equipment has a supply of more than 100 prosthetic bras which are also at no cost. The knocker knitters, Anchor Thrift and North Beach Medical are all working together on this. It is a very special thing.
Want to help? Contact Lois Schuster at 289-5517.
There is a huge event happening on Friday Jan. 29 in Aberdeen to help the homeless — an event that literally changes lives, maybe even your life, if you volunteer your time. A few years ago, my daughter and myself spent the day at this event. At the end of the day, we were exhausted, humbled and proud of the community we lived in and the opportunity we were given to serve. Grays Harbor Project Homeless Connect is looking for volunteers to set up, tear down, escort guests to services, conduct surveys, outreach, and work in concessions. There is a volunteer orientation on Jan. 20.
To sign up to volunteer please contact Lori at the CCAP office, either by calling (360)533-5100, or emailing her at loriv@coastalcap.org .
Just like the waves on our beautiful beach that smooth the shore for a fresh start each day, January gives us a fresh start each year. Do something amazing this year for not only yourself but others too.
Here’s to a fresh start, “On the Beach.”
