Hoots, Howls, and Hollers 01/24/2011

I have written several times about the many positive things that come from volunteering….the feel good you get from helping a cause you believe in, the feel good from giving back, the feel good from making a difference. Those of you who already do volunteer know what I am talking about. But there are secondary benefits that come from volunteering, and they are many and varied.

At Liberty Wildlife I started volunteering more than 27 years ago, and as you can imagine I have met and made some pretty wonderful friends over the years. We have all come together because we share a love of nature and wildlife…the common bond that cements this group together. In those 27+ years some have moved on for different reasons. But, many have stayed.

Here’s what is so fun about it. Many in this group who have come together through a nature and wildlife bond have become like extended family….folks you can depend on in times of need. Those you know well, will always be there. I won’t name names but you know who you are. You might share a love of writing and reading great books…Willa Cather’s, My Antonia….and a love of nature. You share the joy of hiking and biking…the Preserve and the canals….and a love of wildlife watching. You share a passion for kayaking local rivers…. a respect for natural wildness. You share an eclectic taste in music…Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Blues… a wide respect for living things. You share an incredible work ethic...that makes raising money for our cause “fun?” You share your families with me, as I am far from home….and a desire to be out in nature helping to make things better for us all—wildlife and people.

None of you would have been in my life, or filled those potentially empty spaces, had I not taken the initiative to volunteer in a place of kindred spirits. Maybe you are my BFF and that would be because we had a blending zone that allowed time and space to really get to know one another. How lucky I am!