Crave for Volunteering and Community Services !!

Since my college, more precisely during my stay at Chennai, I always wanted to do something for the society or kinda community services. Have planned many visits to Blind schools and Old Age Homes in Chennai, but all those were just plans and nothing was executed other than the donation through CRY and Other Charitable Organization - a mere donation

After spending a year in Charlotte, sometime in Oct 2007 heard about Susan Komen Race for Cure - Fund Raising for Breast Cancer Survivors and Research Activities - typical 5K Run. The Race is scheduled during October - once every year in Charlotte. Started my first run in Oct 07 - was able to raise upto 125$. Since then, every year used to run for the Cure. More details are at Komen Race.

For past couple of months, was looking for a volunteering oppurtunity in Charlotte and had checked out possible sites but ended up in vain because of my GMAT prep ( No offence to gmat lol ). Thanks to Nikh, a friend of mine from work, who suggested me to join in American Red Cross Org, and provided me with all the possible links today - guess he knows i am lil lazy :) in searching net. This time, decided not to think more about it and not willing to waste more time :

- Registered in Red Cross Programs - almost 8 different volunteering activities for Charlotte area. Details are in Red Cross Volunteer. Waiting on Orientation Session dates from the Org

- Registered in Hands On Charlotte - Non-Profit Volunteer Service Org - Hands on Charlotte - Getting Started . Have also scheduled my orientation session for May 17th. One can start volunteering activities only after orientation session and background check ( which may take 10 business days) through this Org. Volunteers should volunteer atleast 12 times per year.

After doing some gud deeds for the day, I am feeling little satisfied for accomplishing step 2 on my community services [ step 1 is the desire to do it :) ] Cool eh !!

- S Ak