Volunteers help improve quality of life

Thank heaven for the volunteers. They are critical when seeking to improve quality of life. They give hours of their time to serve on committees and lend a helping hand. They are the backbone of a civil society: They come alongside those in need and help to carry a burden, to lighten a load, bring enthusiasm, offer extra arms, legs, backs and voices to a cause or need.

In recent weeks Marion County has been inundated with spring break volunteers from various college campuses. They have worked on Marion County Habitat for Humanity houses in Mullins and at the Marion County Animal Shelter, building a storage shed and making various improvements. We thank you all for your kindness.

Week after week, volunteers run church nurseries, offer respite to caregivers and hugs and shoulders when homes burns and lives are forever changed.
We thank you for your sacrifice.

Volunteers improve the quality of all our lives and we all ought to remember that when asked to volunteer in some way to help others. Simply because they choose to, volunteers help, give, endure and persevere. Not for money. Not for fame. Not for the glory of it all.

They simply take their time and money and give, usually thanklessly, to others. They face the fierce red bug bite when camping in the Pee Dee State Park, they skip showers and put themselves last so others can have more and be more.

They come in all shapes and sizes, creeds and national origins and they show us the best of what it means to be human. Caring for one another.

We thank the volunteers who have come and worked, celebrated their birthdays far from home, but among new friends.

To the volunteers who ventured into the area and who work relentless for this county’s citizens: Your deeds are noted; your work is appreciated; may your heart be happy.