On Saturday, one of our volunteers took photos of the members of their team (1 of 4 teams that we had out) during our monthly S3RVE Day initiative. Three things that I absolutely LOVE about these fantastic photos.

1. The sunlight coming in through the front door. I’d like to think there’s something symbolic about that sunlight in the act of serving someone in need, indiscriminately, without strings attached and without expecting a ‘thanks’ or anything else in return. Often, the people that we serve are living in isolation due to being estranged from family or to suffering from mental illness, or for whatever reason. We’ve seen the light flood in to people’s homes – and into their very lives! – in the act of serving.
2. The smiles on the faces of the volunteers. It’s something I notice EVERY time we leave a S3RVE Day – the smiles on the faces of the volunteers. For sure, we see it on the faces of the people we serve and maybe we even expect it there (or at least we hope for it.) But it’s the smiles on the volunteers that really animate the ethos of Serve the City, because they are a sign that our vision of compassion-in-action has really captured the heart of the smiler. And if they’re not careful, it might just become contagious and lead to more indiscriminate acts of intentional kindness. That’s how habits get formed and we can’t have that, now, can we. *wink*
3. The t-shirts that are being worn backwards by at least 3 of the volunteers. I noticed that Tony (the shorter man in glasses) had put his shirt on backwards before everyone left the restaurant and spread out to our respective service projects. What I’m not sure about is whether the others put their t-shirts on backwards as an act of solidarity with Tony or if maybe it was an effort to make sure Tony didn’t get embarrassed to realize that he had his shirt on backwards. Of course, it could be that the other two ladies also mistakenly put their shirts on without taking notice of where the tag was. Who knows. Whatever the case may be, there’s no denying it: there’s just something winsome about wearing clothes backwards. And in this case, I think it goes together quite well with the smiles and the sunlight.

Brandon

Here’s a description of what Volunteer Ireland need: 

We need lots of volunteers to come in and spring clean a selection of homes to give the places a freshen-up and boost the morale of the residents. The work isn’t difficult, all you need is elbow grease and a kind-hearted, understanding nature.

Tasks include:
*Wiping down worktops, sinks, cookers, fridge, door-frames, cupboard doors, doors and skirting boards.
*Dusting and polishing corner units, windows, window frames, presses.
*Mopping and hoovering floors.

Volunteers are needed especially on Tuesday, 27th September, from 10am – 4pm, but there is also room for a few to give half a day on Monday, from 10am – 1pm.

If you’re willing and available to serve some older people in the community in this way, please contact Kim Boyle at the Dublin City South Volunteer Centre. And tell her Serve the City sent you!

Thanks so much to the volunteers who came out to serve this last Saturday (17 Sept).  Our next Third Saturday S3RVE Day will happen on the 15th of October.  And it won’t stop there!  We’ll be at it again on the 19th of November.  If you’d like to volunteer on one of those days, just let us know in the ‘contact us’ section or sign up to receive the monthly communiques (over there on the left under ‘JOIN OUR MAILING LIST’).  Our efforts to serve the marginalised and vulnerable are absolutely dependent on the energetic participation of our brilliant volunteers!

So if you haven’t yet, register your availability to serve with us next week for 1 or all 5 days!  The more volunteers we have, the more HOPE we can scatter across Dublin!

(NOTE: Our Serve Days of Summer initiative will replace our normal Third Saturday S3RVE Day for the month of July.)

CLICK HERE to read our latest Third Saturday S3RVE Day communique that went out to all of our volunteers for the month of May. If you don’t receive those communiques in your email inbox … well, what are you waiting for! Sign up HERE.

The 21st of May is our next Third Saturday S3RVE Day and will be a brilliant opportunity for you to enjoy the fresh spring air while serving someone in need at the same time. If you’re interested, just give us a shout by clicking on the ‘CONTACT‘ tab above and letting us know!