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Volunteering is a Wonderful Gift

Volunteering is a Wonderful Gift

by | Apr 15, 2020 | Bag It Volunteers, Blog, Cancer Advocates, Survivorship

Volunteering is a wonderful gift, however look what it can GIVE you

1. Volunteering will give you a sense of self-accomplishment.
Of course, volunteer work is doing good for the community around you. But, it can also make you feel good about yourself at the same time. When you help someone in need,  it gives you a sense of accomplishment that can increase your self-confidence tremendously.
2. Volunteering improves your mental health.
Volunteering and helping others will make you a happier person in general and can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well being. Giving of your time and talents and doing something you love is great for your mental health. Volunteering for an organization you have an interest in and getting  involved in your community will help you avoid depression and isolation – you will feel great about helping others. Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection with others.
3. Volunteering brings fulfillment to your life.
It is important to balance life with the activities you love. Volunteering for an organization you have a genuine interest in is a relaxing escape from your busy schedule. Doing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be relaxing and can give you an energizing escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or other commitments. Changing up your schedule will leave you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision.
4. Volunteering helps develop new skills and improve current ones.
While motivating and inspiring you to work hard, volunteering can also help you develop your professional skills. Communication, project planning, and teamwork are all great skills to have – and all three are used in volunteering!
5. Volunteering connects you to others.
One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to participate in a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people who share common interests with you. Dedicating your time as a volunteer also helps you expand your network and practice social skills with others.

 

Do you want to add more meaning to your life?

Join a group of wonderful volunteers?

How about making a difference in the life of those impacted by cancer?

Then take the next step and become a Bag It volunteer!

For further information click here or contact Lisa Terrazas

We Appreciate Our Volunteers

We Appreciate Our Volunteers

by | Apr 12, 2020 | Bag It Volunteers, Blog, Cancer Advocates, Survivorship

Bag It Volunteers

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Bag It’s team. Our volunteers include cancer survivors, their families, their friends, and a number of others in the community who have big hearts and a willingness to support individuals diagnosed with cancer.

We’ve highlighted below a few of our fabulous volunteers.

Meet Anne
Meet Aunt B
Meet Donn & Andy
Joan
Meet Michelle
Meet Natalie
Meet Sandra
Meet Stan & Heather
Anne
Believing in the Bag It mission was the main reason Anne joined Bag It in 2004. From helping with miscellaneous office jobs, mini projects, inventory, taking on the role of the hike registration coordinator, a Bag It Ambassador at community events, and helping Bag It spread their awesome work in the community, we can honestly say she has done it ALL – Anne has given so unselfishly of her time and talents to us which we greatly appreciate! While volunteering her time through the years, she can’t name just one favorite experience although she has made strong friendships with staff and others that are also involved with Bag It and those friendships have been life changing!

THANK YOU ANNE FOR ALL THE TIME YOU HAVE GIVEN!
Aunt B
Aunt B started with Bag It in 2019 and already has donated over 50 chemo caps! She chose to give her time to Bag It because she believed her knitting talent was given to her in order for her to use it to bless others. Knitting and crocheting caps for Bag It to send out with the bags during the winter months allows her to volunteer her time when it is convenient for her. Her favorite volunteer experience has been seeing the faces of the various staff members light up when they look through the chemo caps that she has made.  Since creating various hats of colors and patterns Aunt B has created her own original pattern called the Peppermint Twist – you guessed it – it looks just like candy!

THANK YOU AUNT B FOR SHARING YOUR TALENTS!
Donn & Andy
Back in 2016 Andy & Donn reached out to Bag It to let us know what an important part we were in Andy’s cancer journey and inquired how they could give back part of what the Bag It bag gave to them. They attended the 2016 Take a Hike for Bag It and have been very busy helping Bag It ever since! They have enjoyed getting to know other volunteers and helping newly diagnosed scared patients who are looking for help. They have been willing to share their story and explain to others how they used the Bag It bag. Knowing that they can help others, see the little bit of apprehension and fear leave them and the comfort when they realize they are not alone in what they are facing has been a wonderful gift to them, Bag It, and many others.

THANK YOU ANDY & DONN FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO GIVE BACK!
Joan
Joan doesn’t recall when she actually started volunteering but believes it was back at the 2012 Take a Hike for Bag It, however she does recall she chose Bag It – because it is a worthwhile cause and she has lost loved ones to cancer. Volunteering for the hike and working with the registration team has been her number one volunteering event. Joan has worked as a hospice nurse and understands the impact Bag It has  to patients and family members. She believes in giving to the community and helping others in need and Bag It has been the beneficiary of that!

THANK YOU JOAN FOR BELIEVING IN BAG IT!
Michelle
Like many of us when a close friend, co worker or family member asks for your help – you are eager to lend a helping hand. So for Michelle it all began back in 2016 – when a friend asked and she said yes! While Michelle has been part of the Registration team at the Take A Hike for Bag It she has been willing to help with other miscellaneous projects. She likes all aspects of giving her time to Bag It and believes her time volunteering has made her a better person.

THANK YOU MICHELLE FOR SAYING YES!
Natalie
Natalie has been a consistent hike volunteer since 2014 – well actually that is her best guess – funny how time flies when you are helping others!  She has continued helping Bag It because she understands that it is a great cause and provides an invaluable service for those impacted by cancer. Trail sitting has been her main focus during the hike although a few years back she began taking photos of the hikers and WOW- has she captured some great photos of our hikers with the scenic mountain backdrop. Natalie loves knowing that giving a small amount of her time can help a lot of people.

THANK YOU NATALIE FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO TAKE A HIKE FOR BAG IT!
Sandra
One never knows where a parent/teacher friendship will lead you…for Sandra that is where it all began. Back in 2003 Sandra began volunteering with Bag It to help out her daughter’s teacher. Sandra was one of the first group of volunteers to assemble the first version of the Bag It bag in Sherri’s home. Fast forward and she still is actively involved because it has been extremely rewarding knowing how many people Bag It has helped. She has given her time with Bag It by doing many projects however, one of her favorites is when she volunteers at a health fair. This gives her the opportunity to meet so many people, and hear their stories. She finds it so rewarding to be able to tell them about the Bag It binder or listen to how they are already using it. Sandra states-I think volunteering is so important. It makes me feel like I am making a difference in someone else’s life, not just mine. I love volunteering for Bag It. It is my passion, and I hope to continue to do so for many more years.

THANK YOU SANDRA FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT!
Stan & Heather
Stan and Heather joined the Phoenix group of volunteers back in 2015, they became involved because they understood what a significant resource Bag It was for empowering folks to participate in their treatment. We are very appreciative of their willingness to help share Bag It as it allows us to attend many more Phoenix health & wellness fairs and other opportunities where we would not be able to send a staff member. They have met many cancer survivors, and many Bag It users who have shared many praises of the bag. Stan and Heather do a lot of volunteer work and feel volunteering has enriched their lifestyle.

THANK YOU STAN & HEATHER FOR SHARING BAG IT IN PHOENIX!

How do BAG IT Volunteers make a difference?

How do BAG IT Volunteers make a difference?

by | Sep 23, 2017 | Bag It Community Partners, Bag It News, Bag It Volunteers, Blog, Cancer Advocates, Survivorship

Volunteers are a valuable part of any nonprofit and BAG IT is fortunate to have some wonderful individuals who take time out of their busy lives to volunteer and support us on a regular basis.  We appreciate that you share your skills, talents, time and heart for BAG IT!

How do BAG IT Volunteers make a difference?  They . . .

  • Make chemo caps
  • Write thank you notes
  • Help with inventory
  • Serve as Ambassadors in the community
  • Make up our Board of Directors
  • Help with our fundraising events (Take a Hike in Tucson and Be There in Phoenix)
  • Assist with our bookkeeping
  • Take pictures
  • Provide Spanish translations

For some people volunteering is about giving, but for the likes of our volunteers it is a way
of living.

What our volunteers have to say:

“When I was introduced to Bag It, by a co-worker, I was looking for a way to give back. We were relatively new to Tucson and had lost quite a few family members and close friends to all types of cancer. . I feel I get so much more from this Organization than I give. Every year that goes by I meet new people, get to reconnect with old friends, but most importantly, I am surrounded by such a positive, uplifting bunch of people no matter what the Event. This will be my 10th year volunteering with BAG IT and I am honored they let me keep coming back!” – Anne

“I volunteer at BAG IT because I love seeing the smiles on patients when they share how our “BAG ITs” have touched their lives and helped them in this most trying time. So being at a booth and spreading the word on all we do, makes me feel connected to our community and part of something amazing.” – Jacque

“While everyone is so busy these days, it’s important to remember that people are in need and appreciate your help.”  – Stan

Thank you for being a Volunteer!  – Sherri, Joyce, Mindy & Annettra