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Dear Editor,
Having recently retired from a 10 year volunteer stint with the Pride of Atmore, I would like to share with our community what it means, and how important it is, to be a volunteer in our wonderful town.
Over the past 25 years, I have witnessed a remarkable turn around in Atmore. An incredible rebirth in community pride, economic growth, and an embracing of the diversity and inclusion of all our citizens.
These very positive changes have in part been brought about by dedicated group of volunteers, local government leadership, and an influx of small businesses and a huge investment by our local Porch Creek Indians. Atmore is not perfect. There are still plenty of areas that need improvement. We still have a long way to go to improve our local schools, fight poverty and crime, and continue to provide new employment opportunities.
Being a volunteer can help provide solutions to our negative issues and also focus on new opportunities, and assist our local non-profit organizations that have been so instrumental in Atmore’s renaissance of recovery.
I have proudly served on many non-profit boards, and primarily focused on the restoration and renovation of the Strand Theatre and the old Atmore Hardware store (now called Encore) with the Pride of Atmore.The satisfaction received by volunteering can only be described as life changing and so very rewarding.
There are .many benefits of volunteering. Researching this topic, I came across an article written by Stacey Buttel and Amer Krosel. This article lists ten reasons to volunteer.
1. Provides you with a sense of purpose
2. Provides a sense of coilllnunity
3. Helps you meet new friends
4. Increases your social skills
5. Improves self-esteem
6. Teaches you valuable skills
7. Provides job prospects
8. Brings joy a11d fun into your life
9. Can help you be happier
10. Gets you out of your comfort zone
If you think you are to old to volunteer think again. Most of the volunteers for the Pride of Atmore (The Encore and Strand Theatre) are over 60 and some are in their 80s and the majority all have full time jobs.
If you need a suggested opportunity to volunteer, here are just a few in the Atmore area that always need volunteers:
• The Pride of Atmore
• Main Street Atmore
• The Lions Club
• The Rotary Club
• Atmore Historical Society
• The Yellow Hat Society
• Atmore Community Foundation
• Atmore Historical Commission
• Atmore Food Pantry
• Atmore Red Cross
• Your local church
• Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce
To become a volunteer, your age does not matter, your prior experience does matter, what does matter is your desire to help our community, to get involved, and your willingness to show up. And, it costs nothing but your time.
Please consider becoming a volunteer today. It is a decision you will never regret.
Sincerely,
Foster Kizer