The need to serve was instilled by my mother from a young age. It has grown into a deep desire to serve over the years. Volunteering in the community, from grade school to the present, has become part of my identity.

I am an accomplished volunteer.

What makes an accomplished volunteer you ask?

I believe it is a combination of heart and mindset.

When it comes to heart, we are all deeply connected with suffering and happiness – one doesn’t exist without the other. They are like two parallel lines, never crossing, going on forever. This is life at its very core. The reality of suffering and happiness side by side in our life surges compassion and empathy in me wanting to serve my fellow humans.

The mindset for me is to befriend all things and all persons. My behavior must be ethical in that I must get rid of hatred at all levels- to myself, and the world around me. It is unconditional friendship with myself, everything and everyone. I need to just see and just hear the world around me. As I cultivate this heart and mindset to befriend all persons and things, the desire to serve becomes so strong I want to put it into action.

These heart and mindsets create a driving force within me to serve, being intentionally aware of simple, creative, and complex ways to cultivate peace, love, compassion and empathy within the suffering and happiness of the world’s needs.

Today, I am blessed to be volunteering with Fleece & Thank You. FTY found me and I found FTY – just depends on who you ask!

Each person on our team is an accomplished volunteer. We are of one heart and mindset -to serve. Each person sees, hears, then acts to cultivate the human connection of compassion within the suffering and happiness children experience while in the hospital. As a volunteer, putting compassion into action with The FTY Team and the many volunteers that we work with at blanket events and at the warehouse is the ultimate act of sharing love and kindness in this world.

What drives you to serve?

Do you want to serve, but don’t know how to get started?

Fleece & Thank You just might be your volunteer niche…it’s one of many places I found mine.

With a grateful heart,

Mary Beth