Volunteering to improve society

While I might be slightly limited in my personal volunteering opportunities because of future potential conflicts of interest with reporting, I still enjoy reporting about those who work hard – and without monetary pay – for the improvement of their communities.
This is why I enjoy the Making A Difference weekly feature at The Examiner. As reporters, we are challenged with the task of finding residents who are working – without any form of compensation – toward improving the community in some way. Today, I profiled Virginia Mashburn, a 77-year-old retired woman who enjoys painting and her two cats, Button and Riggs. Mashburn "goes to work" every Tuesday and Thursday like it's her regular job in support of the Englewood Police Substation. (The Independence City Council recently approved $3,600 of its council funds toward the substation's monthly rent to keep it operational.)
I also was impressed with the turnout at last evening's Susquehanna Neighborhood Watch meeting. The residents in attendance were passionate about spurring social change in their neighborhood – and they put a lot of emphasis on "their neighborhood"!
We may agree to disagree on many issues of the day, but I admire those who are willing to put themselves out there and spur the change that others just talk about. I might not be able to join their ranks, but I'll continue reporting and writing about them in hopes that others will hear their messages and voices – and take charge themselves.