Finding children's joy and values in volunteerism

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Veronica Sturman - Five
children find joy in volunteering. When school closed last Friday for
parent teacher conferences, three Elementary Lab School children met up
with a couple of home schooled friends and a volunteer from the Humane
Society to spend the afternoon socializing puppies.

The Natchitoches Humane Society pays boarding fees to keep several puppies at a local

veterinarian office until they can find homes for them. These puppies
do not have the opportunity to bond with people as much as foster
puppies or shelter puppies. A volunteer from the Humane Society picks
them up from the vet’s office occasionally and takes them to a larger
play area. On Friday, Juanita Murphy, from the Humane Society, invited
me and my friends to help leash train these energetic little pups.

Some of these dogs had never even worn a collar and almost all of
them had never walked on a leash before. We each got to choose a puppy
to walk and went in separate directions so that the puppies didn’t get
all tangled together in their leashes. At first, we let the puppies walk
where they wanted to go to get them use to the leash. As they get
older, they will be taught to walk beside people. For now, the puppies
are the leaders and the people are the followers.

We also
taught them how to play with toys and got them used to a brush. The
puppies had no idea how to play with a dog toy or with a child. They
only know how to play with each other. Their dog play is too rough for
people. It is important to teach them how to play more gently with
children. After we played, we got to brush them and give them treats,
which lets them know that walking on a leash and getting brushed bring
good things.

I plan to play with these puppies again
tomorrow. I won’t have many children friends with me, because school is
back in session. With or without a group of friends, it is fun to walk
dogs, and I know it’s good for the dogs too. There are lots of ways to
volunteer. I like playing with animals the most, but everyone should be

able to use their personal interests to help the community.

Veronica Sturman: Her story and her example of food needs andvolunteers needed in Robeline

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Veronica Sturman - (Editor's Note:  In another article of note, young journalist Veronica Sturman puts not just her words to work but her deeds as well, in the classiest way a writer can be, revealing once again this child's amazing talent as well as her tender heart. )

Attention: Volunteers needed, Warning: Heavy boxes

Five hundred
families receive hunger relief in Robeline. The Robeline Food Pantry was
founded by Triune Ministries in the year 2000. They operate out of an
old school building, which at first glance appears uninhabitable. When I
arrived to help pack food boxes, I wondered if I was at the right
place. Many of the abandoned buildings had broken out windows. I noticed
an open door in the best looking building and went in and found the
other volunteers. Although it was cold, I soon warmed up lifting and
carrying bags and boxes.

I helped about a dozen volunteers pack 242
boxes full of food this month. Last month they distributed 333 boxes of
food. The food pantry is open for those in need every second Saturday of
the month, but if someone has a special need they can call for food at
any time. About 30% of the food boxed in Robeline is distributed in
Coushatta. Five hundred families are on the food pantry list, but they
don’t all show up every month.

According to Betty Milner, age 78,
more families are coming to Robeline each month since the Natchitoches
Loving Care Mission closed. Some families have trouble with
transportation to the pantry, and they may have a friend pick up their
box of food. Mr. Milner delivers some boxes to families without cars.

The
food pantry in Robeline would not be able to help any of these families
without volunteers. It is 100% volunteer ran. More volunteers and
donations are needed to feed more families or to offer current families
more food. You can help by donating food or money or by asking your
church to do a canned food drive. If you would like to volunteer at the
food pantry, call Betty Milner at 318-472-8352. It only takes a couple
of hours to pack boxes, and it is lots of fun.

Ms. Milner said, “We
just love helping people.” I enjoyed helping her help people. If you
like helping people too, call Ms. Milner or find a food pantry in your

community.