Extra Credit: Community Volunteerism

Extra Credit: Community Volunteerism

I have wanted to take a more active role in my community for a long time, however I have moved so often I have never considered myself a member of any community. Seeing such efforts as the World Wide Action for Climate Change I realized I was defining community all wrong. I had been defining community in terms of where I lived, location, instead of understanding that community mindedness was much more encompassing than the physicality of location. I realized that I had to start thinking of community in terms of how can I contribute. Under these terms I can connect to a community mindedness no matter where I live. I wanted to really help develop an understanding of community as being tied to active participation and not just location for my children. So far we have volunteered our time together to clean up Old Airport Beach, we have picked up trash a Pebble Beach and we just finished our orientation at the Humane Society. Last month my children volunteered their time handing out sponges and drinks for the Iron Man athletes. I think we are developing an understanding that it is how we contribute that creates our connection to community. Whether it be our community here in Kona or as members of the global community we are making the effort to connect and having fun while doing it!