08/20/2023
Quartzsite
Where would we be without Volunteers?
Volunteering has a successful history in Quartzsite and hopefully that will continue to remain true. Many of those who volunteer have been doing so for years, as they grow older it is not always easy for them to keep doing so, yet you find them all over town, why do they volunteer? Do they get any benefit from doing so? I cannot imagine Quartzsite without those who volunteer so let us look at these questions as well as a few of the places you might find people volunteering.
Is volunteering important for society? The world we live in is a busy place, you can always find something happening, it might seem like we can never get a break so why add volunteering into our schedule. Being a volunteer will give you a chance to make your neighborhood, your town, and your world a better place. You will have a chance to make a positive impact on your world and in doing so will get the benefit of having a sense of accomplishment.
Volunteering helps you connect with others. If you are new to an area or simply want a way to meet others and make new friends, volunteering is a great way to do so. You have a chance to improve social and relationship skills as you meet others.
Life is full of things that can cause us stress, anxiety and even anger. When we take the time to volunteer, we will have meaningful contact with others who are interested in having a positive impact on the world. This contact will help you to be positive, to focus on the good you can do, which in turn is a great stress reliever. You will be building a support system of new friends who can be there when help is needed.
Studies have shown that helping others delivers immense pleasure to your brain so the more you help the happier you will feel. Confidence will also increase and you will gain a sense of pride and maybe a little bit of a new identity.
Helping others can help you take your mind off your own worries. Believe it or not volunteering can help you live longer. Studies have shown that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate, they are less likely to develop high blood pressure and have better cognitive skills.
Learning new skills often come along with volunteer opportunities. You might need carpentry skills, writing skills, sewing skills, public speaking or so many other skills.
When you bring it down to the basic skill you need to be a successful volunteer, Passion and Positivity are the only requirements.
Let us travel back to the subject of volunteering in Quartzsite, as I mentioned earlier, we have a history built by volunteers, we need to keep that going. Locals and winter visitors alike visit many places and enjoy many services that will not continue to exist if people do not volunteer.
The Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA) is one of the bigger places in town that would not exist today if people had not had a vision and worked together to bring it to life.
In 1965 a group of forty-four people met together forming a committee, the result was the QIA being incorporated April 27, 1965. Volunteers worked together to come up with the concept of this wonderful place that brings us the pow wow, classes, music, morning coffee cards and so much more to our tiny desert town. The land where the QIA is located was donated, funding was provided and it has continued to grow into what it is today. People caring enough to volunteer are what built it and what keeps it running today.
Tysons Well Stage Station Museum is another place that would not be here today except for the caring and foresight of volunteers. The land was donated and the precious artifact, the stage station was restored and transformed into a museum to preserve the history of the area. The museum is run by the Quartzsite Historical Society, members volunteer for the many projects and parades, people volunteer for the annual Walk in the Past held at Hi Jolly Cemetery in February. The Walk in the Past is an interesting pageant where volunteers dressed in costume tell you about the early pioneers buried in the cemetery. The museum is run during the winter by docents who see to the daily operation of the museum. My husband and I are currently the docents and would love to have you stop by for a tour or to discuss volunteer opportunities. We love sharing our towns little museum and the history of the area with visitors.
The opportunities to volunteer exist all over Quartzsite. The Friends of Quartzsite Food Pantry and Carols Closet can always use volunteers as well as donations. Town events offer more volunteer opportunities and they can use people at the Community Center as well. The Senior Center, Quartzsite Public Library, Chamber of Commerce, Gunny's Military Museum, Quartzsite Thrift store and Salvation Army thrift store all offer opportunities to volunteer as well.
I have heard people say there is nothing to do in Quartzsite, if you want to do nothing, I imagine it is possible, I can not however imagine not being able to find something to do.
Take your place in Quartzsite History become a volunteer and together let us continue volunteering in a way that shows this town can survive and thrive because of the volunteers who care.
By Maggie Swanson Moody
