It was 1993 and I was in the middle of a stream with a group of fifth graders searching for macroinvertebrates and doing some basic water testing so we could learn more about these creatures who were literally under our feet.

I had just caught a crayfish and as I put it into the observation tray one of the boys asked me how much I get paid. I told him that I was a volunteer and volunteers do not get paid. His eyes grew wide and he stared at me.

I explained I wanted to offer my time to help and do something for the center just because I could. He continued to stare at me much like we were peering into the observation tanks. As he turned away from me, he just shook his head.

I was giving back but I was getting more than I was giving.

My volunteering was strengthening my skills as an educator as I would soon graduate from college with a teaching degree so my time at the center not only helped the center, but it was also helping me.

I used my volunteer hours to connect with other teachers and practice my teaching skills. I knew that the center operated on a small budget so if I could help by volunteering, I knew those funds could go toward medication and housing for wildlife.

For me volunteering was important.

In high school, I volunteered at the local library and in my first year of college, I volunteered at the day care center down the street, and in my junior year, I volunteered with a literacy program to help older adults learn to read. It was my way of giving back to the community where I lived.

‘Feel-good brain chemicals’

According to psychologists smiling “triggers a cascade of feel-good brain chemicals” called endorphins, which lower stress levels, reduce pain, and produce feelings of well-being and happiness, which make us just feel good.

I found myself smiling a lot when I was at the center, so that combined with a cup of coffee made for a perfect day.

Working with a variety of people also helped me gain confidence as I worked through various projects and was told by the staff how much they appreciated me volunteering.

I also met so many interesting people and met my best friend, Renee, at the center. Over the years, I have made a lot of friends, which I had not counted on.

A sense of purpose

Studies show that the impact of volunteering provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment in those who regularly give their time to others. I felt proud to help whenever and wherever I could.

These same studies discovered a link between volunteering and reduced anxiety, depression, and other mental concerns — even a reduced risk of mortality in adults 60 and over.

At times, I was asked to step out of my comfort zone while given various tasks and honestly some of those tasks had me concerned that I would “mess things up.”

As I accomplished the task, I had such an overwhelming sense of pride in a job well done and in myself.

Volunteering just feels good. All my life I heard my grandmother and mother say, “many hands make light work.” This is so very true and the work done for others affects your well-being, and theirs!

Making CCEEC possible

Volunteers do greet visitors as part of the daily routine at the center and too many times I have heard several of them tell the visitors that they are “just volunteers!”

We could not do everything we do here without their dedication.

We warn volunteers that the jobs that need to be done are messy, dirty, or smelly — it is just the nature of our center. See what I did there?

The amazing thing is they smile and assure us that they do not mind doing those jobs.

When our volunteers leave for the day, I try to remember thanking them for their time. I wish we had the funds in our budget to pay them what they are worth. But I have a feeling they would refuse the payment.

As I get closer to my retirement date, I have been asked in a teasing manner by some and a more serious manner by others if I am planning to come back to volunteer!

Maybe, just maybe!

Jeannie Carl is a naturalist at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center in Summit Hill. The center rehabilitates injured animals and educates the public on a variety of wildlife found in the area. For information on the Carbon County Environmental Center, visit www.carboneec.org.