Life Is Dutiful

We invited readers to tell us how they find the time to volunteer. Not only did they come up with some great time-finding advice, but also provided lots of creative ideas for ways and means to volunteer, and some thoughts on why everyone ought to volunteer.

Here are some of the responses:

The secret to volunteering is really no secret at all. The key to overcoming all kinds of excuses, such as a lack of time, is simply adopting a philosophy that volunteerism has an effect on the lives of other people, that you care, and that this is a way to pay back for the blessings you have in your life.

ROBERT MARCUS

West Hills

I’ve found that you make time for the things that are really important to you. My job involves lots of hours as well as travel to the off-site offices my division supports around the United States, so time is always an issue with me. About a year and a half ago, I started volunteering with my dog, Tucker, at the UCLA Medical Center in an animal-assisted therapy program. We made a commitment to visit twice a month, which I do on Sunday afternoons.

LINDA LAING

Long Beach

Having children doesn’t leave a great deal of time to volunteer due to many driving commitments. So, when browsing the Internet, I found a great solution to volunteering and my favorite project: knitting. I was reading about the different hospitals that needed hats, booties and blankets for the preemie babies and needy babies. I started knitting at night, in my car and while waiting at lessons. I asked friends, neighbors, knit shops to help me out. Stitches from the Heart was started.

KATHY SILVERTON

Los Angeles

Want to volunteer but can’t find the time? Make it part of your social life. It will give you and your friends something great to do together. Friends too busy? Go solo. You’ll make lots of new friends. Love horses? Teach disabled children to ride. Whatever your interests, volunteer opportunities abound.

SUZI M. SCALLON

Mission Viejo

My husband, Jim, and I own History for Hire Inc. We provide props, design graphics and do specialty manufacturing for the entertainment business.

One of the organizations we [volunteer] with is the Friends of the Glendale Public Library. Every May, they put on a program called American Heroes for more than 2,000 schoolchildren. . . . Ask us to bake something for a bake sale or canvas a neighborhood, we would be lost and, at best, do a poor to mediocre job with the best intentions. Ask us to decorate an event and we are at our best.

PAMELA ELYEA

North Hollywood

My volunteer hours are my personal health hours. At 67, I find they revitalize and refresh me and balance my full-time role as caregiver to my husband and my work as an RN at St. John’s Health Center. Through the Medications Management Program at the Center for Healthy Aging in Santa Monica, I assist clients in understanding their medications regime. I spend four to five hours weekly in this program.

JUDY HATCHETT

Pacific Palisades

My husband died two years ago, and I used to volunteer at the hospital in Palm Springs before his death. Now that I’m alone, I find being with other people and helping give me a great feeling. I’m working in outpatient surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital in Pasadena as a Girl Friday. I hope I am helping. I’m 78 and retired, working two days a week and love it!

KAY LONG

Pasadena