Feel like volunteering, but don't know where to start? The Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee makes it easy to nurture your humanitarian heart.

Working with 260 non-profit agencies and 26 corporations in the Milwaukee area, the Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee, in the words of its mission statement, "mobilizes people and resources to deliver creative solutions to community problems," building a Milwaukee community in which everyone contributes toward making Milwaukee a better place.

Knowing how difficult it is to recruit new volunteers, the Volunteer Center strives to make it a snap to get going. A simple phone call or a visit to their web site is often enough to get one started.

"Just like anything else, the hardest part is getting there," says Becky Turner, Executive Director at the Center. "The rest just flows."

It's all very individual-specific once the placement process begins. You may choose to work for a specific agency or you can cite your personal interests, availability, and areas where volunteering would be most convenient. Using this information a list of volunteer opportunities that suit your personal criteria is compiled. Consequently, the chances of being disappointed with a volunteering experience are slim and volunteers often feel as though they get as much from their experience as they give.

"When people give, they get back. It's not a paycheck, it's payback," says Turner.

There is a never-ending list of things to do and many people benefit tremendously from the help of volunteers. For example, Literacy Services of Wisconsin and American Red Cross wouldn't exist without generous people sharing their time and energy. The beauty of the Audubon Nature Center relies on volunteers who pluck weeds. Even the Great Circus Parade depends on volunteers to distribute water to spectators.

People can volunteer on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis. There are also different types of volunteering. Direct service means volunteering on a regular basis. Joining a board of directors or serving on a committee of an agency are other options. Volunteer on your own or along with friends or family members.

Perhaps you've just moved to Milwaukee and want to get to know people. Maybe you are sick of your current lifestyle and need a fulfilling challenge. Suppose you have a family and you want your children to experience community involvement. Maybe you have a lot of free time on your hands and you're looking for a useful way to spend it. Perhaps there's something you've always loved to do, but lately, after years of neglecting that interest, want to start doing it again. Whatever it is, volunteering is a great solution.

"One of the things that is important is that people find something meaningful," says Turner.

Volunteering might make you healthier as well. According to Turner, studies show that volunteering leads to the release of beneficial endorphins.

So, maybe we're all running around every day from place to place and job to job. Maybe we're content spending all of those extra hours watching television or browsing the Internet. But if we're still searching for something more fulfilling, maybe we should make a collective effort to look into ourselves and see what we have to offer. There will always be someone who can benefit from your help.

Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee, Inc., 225 E. Michigan St., Suite 5, Milwaukee, WI 53202-4900. Telephone: (414) 273-HELP. Fax: (414) 273-0637. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

E-mail: info@volunteermilwaukee.org

www.volunteermilwaukee.org