Category: Let's talk
Hi all!
Due to circumstances, I won't be having Christmas with my family. It will be the 1st time this has happened in my life.
In order to not get down, and to not just sit at home I'd like to volunteer that day. Does anyone have any suggestions of places I could go that may be open to a totally blind person working there?
I've thought about the soup kitchen, or food bank something like that but I don't know..
Any suggestions? I'm posting this now so as I can look early. I would like to volunteer there before and possibly after Christmas as well.
Generally I have found kitches are actually pretty good places to work for me anyway. But I am fit and have no other disabilities except for being blind. I tend to serve doing dishes and cleaning up mostly. I know many people are interested in having the blind guy talk to people, stuff like that. But to be honest I'm a doer not a talker when it comes to helping out. You really have to find your fit with these things. When it's the sort of thing you want to do, and do well at, you can get in. Unlike employment, volunteer places can't really be picky, and many hands make for light work.
I've never done food bank before so I wouldn't know what's available. Also find people you know in your area who may be going to volunteer somewhere and get involved with them, as a group. There's lots of ways people and places need help: some people are really good at listening to the people talk, and doing the encouragement thing, stuff like that. Some of us just kick it army style and wash dishes, peel potatos or do whatever needs to get done, and there's always the people who organize things and people which is equally important.
May take you a few tries giving a few things a shot to find what you do well at, but there's generally more work to do than there is people to do it, so your help will be welcomed by wherever you choose to pitch in.
wow, thanks leo! I'd feel more comfortable doing rather than talking.. as me and large crowds I get nervous in. I mean, I wouldn't mind standing at the door greeting people however I feel kinda nervous about doing that since I wouldn't want to be talking to the air by mistake or missing someone lol..
I'm hoping to start calling places tomorrow (which is Monday), do you think I should say I'm blind right off the bat or just show up like I do at job interviews without saying anything?
What I'd do is call those types of places, see what they need, and evaluate whether or not you need say anything about being blind on the fly. Then you can just show up, maybe do some time there before the holidays so you get a feel for the place, like on a Saturday afternoon or something. Just my thoughts, you kind of have to play it as it comes I think.
Thanks so much Leo! Really appreciate it and I agree with you totally on going beforehand. :)