Alexandra Bogdanovic's Blog: That's life... - Posts Tagged "volunteering"

Anyone who has read my book or anyone who knows me personally knows how much I love horses.
On any given summer weekend you can find me photographing a high-goal polo match in Greenwich or Bridgehampton. If I'm not there, you might catch me shooting a horse show -- especially if my buddy (and American silver medalist) Peter Leone is competing. But nothing beats volunteering in a therapeutic riding program.
It's something I've done sporadically over the past thirteen years or so, and something I just started doing again a couple of weeks ago.
A confidentiality agreement precludes me from talking about specific students or their disabilities -- and I wouldn't do that anyway. I can say that generally speaking, students in these types of programs are physically and/or emotionally challenged. Some have minimal disabilities and others are profoundly affected.
Some ride fairly well and others need a lot of support. As a sidewalker, I'm there to do whatever I can to help. Usually that just means walking next to the horse and making sure the rider stays in the saddle. I also have to make sure the student is listening to the certified instructor and following her directions.
It sounds easy but each forty-five minute lesson is tough work for the horses, the students and for us. It's also rewarding for the horses, riders and for us.
By the time I get home after two Thursday afternoon sessions, I'm filthy, hot and exhausted. But for reasons I can't always pinpoint, I'm also immensely happy.
Until next time, "That's life..."

So I'm getting off to a late start this week, but there's a very good reason for that.
This morning, I went up to New Haven for a meeting with some intensely cool people. They all work with an organization called NeighborWorks New Horizons. Collectively, they engage in neighborhood revitalization and provide safe, affordable housing for qualified citizens.
Now, you may be wondering if this has anything to do with writing. It does. Over the next few weeks, I'll be helping them share their message by doing interviews and writing stories that can be used in marketing campaigns and related material.
What's in it for me? Absolutely nothing. Well, nothing in terms of payment, at any rate. I am happily doing this on a volunteer basis. I'm doing it to help others -- to give back to the community. I'm doing it because I want my writing to matter. I've always wanted it to matter -- and I've always figured that if something I write helps even one person, if it changes their life in some small way, or makes them stop and think about something, I've done my job.
I found out about this opportunity through an awesome organization called Catchafire. It matches volunteers who have specific skills with organizations that need those skills.
As writers, we have a very valuable skill. I urge you to find a way to share it -- even if you only have a little bit of time.
With that, Happy Holidays everybody. And until next time, "That's life..."