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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Why Do I Volunteer?


April is National Volunteer Month. In celebration, the MCC Daily Tribune is featuring the individual answers of more than 20 faculty and staff members to the question “ Why Do I Volunteer?” Today’s response is by Anne Kirkpatrick, faculty secretary, academic services, DCC

I currently volunteer with three organizations: Seneca Park Zoo Society, St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and the American Red Cross– Greater Rochester Chapter.

I’ve been volunteering at the Seneca Park Zoo for one year as an educational docent.   I volunteer a minimum of 5 hours a month, educating the public on the animals exhibited and conservation and preservation issues.  I have always loved animals and enjoy sharing my knowledge to ensure animals are around for future generations.

I have volunteered at St. Josaphat’s Church since I was an elementary student at the school.  Activity participation has ranged from cleaning church, to working at weekly BINGO, the annual summer festival, and teaching 1st grade Sunday school.  My faith and Ukrainian background are important to me and I want future generations to appreciate their parents’ and grandparents’ heritage.

Lastly, I volunteer for the annual Fire& Ice fundraiser for the American Red Cross.  I was previously employed by the Red Cross and I firmly believe in their mission of providing relief to victims of disaster and to help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies no matter their nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson:
 “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life,
 that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”

Anne Kirkpatrick
Academic Services, DCC
04/06/2009