Home > Holiday Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSingles who serve
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This weekend, in an attempt to broaden my heart (envision The Grinch’s heart growing three sizes larger), I’m participating in a singles event to contribute to Operation Christmas Child.
I’ve just recently realized how much I can do to support people who aren’t as blessed as I am, and it’s surprising how many of these charity events are actually tailored toward singles! Especially as we’re rolling into the Thanksgiving-Christmas season, I’m starting to see many opportunities to meet other singles as well as challenge my social conscience. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
My hope is that during the activities this season, I’ll have the opportunity to meet others like me — not perfectly generous or altruistic, but at least willing to sacrifice some time or money because they know there are other people in this world that need help.
Have you ever thought about tracking down ways to serve with other singles, or possibly setting up something yourself? Are there holiday singles service events available through your work, church or social circle? Could you use an opportunity to grow your heart and possibly meet a cute single at the same time?
Have you ever met someone while volunteering at a nursing home, delivering a Thanksgiving turkey to an impoverished family or some other traditionally non-dating-scene activity?
If you participate in service projects, do you find you meet more “real” people through these events? Do you think doing service work can give you more insight into someone’s heart upon first meeting them (assuming they’re not there just to get a date!)?
What are the benefits of meeting someone while serving others? The cons?
Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: holiday
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By Mara
November 13, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
What are these single activities? I am interested in participating, where can i found out more information?
By T-Mango
November 13, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
As a service minded person the last thing on my mind while helping others is “hooking up.” If you are volunteering with a side angle of meeting someone then your heart is in the wrong place. Now, if you happen to garner a new friendship after the work is done then fine… But, what I’ve found during my service activities is that the folks that atttend are too busy working and supporting others that are less fortunate to think about themselves.
By itsmorenamorena
November 13, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Buen Dia to all
When I lived in DC, I signed up to volunteer with a group called Single Volunteers. But they did episodic volunteering and my schedule never meshed, although I did end up tutoring at a charter school for about 4 years. Can’t say I met anyone to date, but did catch up with a few college friends who also volunteered at that same charter school. But back to the topic.
Service, or volunteering has been an integral part of my life since I was a wee lil’ Girl Scout, and although the premise is promising, hooking up while volunteering just hasn’t happened. It’s often promoted as a surefire way to meet the person of your dreams — do the activities you like and you’ll find like-minded individuals there, and form relationships, yadda skippy yea yea.
Since I’ve been in the ATL, I’ve volunteered at various projects throughout the year with Hands on Atlanta, and while I haven’t met anyone on any of these projects, I have invited men along to make it a “date” and how they react to that provides some insight and helps me determine whether or not to take them seriously.
By Mocman
November 13, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
I ADMIT IT, I started with Atlanta Habitat with the sole intention to learn how to build things at my house, but you know what, I found a lot of fun and down to earth people that I am friends with today. So almost 4 years later I still look foreword to every Saturday morning rain or shine. Who cares what gets people out, they are getting out. Maybe they will like it and keep coming out. Oh and by they way I just got back from a wedding of a couple that met at Habitat. This was the 2nd wedding this year, that I know of, of a couple that met at Habitat. So tis the season to get out and volunteer,and if you are lucky to meet someone special well then it makes for a good story at parties of how you met.
By great idea
November 13, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
I think service as a single or non-single is always worthwhile. Heck, I’m attached but I still do service activities either with or without my other. What could be better? And you’ll probably meet better quality people than in a bar or the typical singles scene. When I was a high school teacher, one Christmas some of my students got together and instead of giving gifts to each other, they pooled their time and money and gave to a charitable cause. Warmed my heart.
By DeDe
November 13, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
T-Mango has a good point: volunteering with an ulterior motive is missing the boat. But beyond that, I think a person’s true intentions would likely become apparent and be a turn off to service-minded singles you would be meeting.
However, how people spend their time is usually a good indicator of their internal life. So participating in service activities, while giving you the satisfaction of contributing, and also have the benefit of introducing you to other likeminded people. That could lead to quality friendships, as well as potential dates. But in creating awareness of the needs of our community and focusing our attention on others instead of ourselves, it improves us as people, and hopefully makes us better partners for whomever we date, whether we meet them volunteering or not.
By hotlanta
November 13, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
If your only motive while leaving your home is to meet someone and you don’t you are setting yourself up for a lot of disappoints. Just do it.
By Kym-Mom
November 13, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Excuse me ajc… I love what you have done with the blog in the holiday colors and I can even understand removing those not relevant to the topic…but uhhhh dont you think this is a task better done overnight and not in the middle of the day.
By huh?
November 13, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
You mean there are still singles in ATL?