There is an old adage “You’re never too old – you’re never too young” for this or that.

Right now, I’m talking about those volunteers who show up when duty calls. In my regular job, I need volunteers to help with this or that or another thing. I’m spread thin and can’t cover all the bases all the time. Things are tight for everyone right now and everybody is trying to say afloat.

Non-profits rely on donations and volunteers to help bridge gaps paid help can’t reach.‘

My grandsons are learning how to volunteer at an early age. They serve once or twice a month at animal shelter outreaches where pets can be adopted. They also do little odd jobs in my office now and then. They are learning how to be willing to part with a bit of their time.

So, if you’re 10 years of age, you’re not necessarily too young or if you’re 90, you’re not necessarily too old to share a bit of your day to help some worthwhile organization or cause. I have been at huge events where people of all ages are picking up the slack, serving meals, selling tickets, greeting the public and the list of usefulness goes on and on.

I have volunteers who are elderly and those who are still in elementary school and they all serve a purpose – although it might not be at the same level.

Even though my volunteers are generations apart, they have the same desire – to willingly help where they are needed.

But it takes a lot of volunteers to keep enthusiasm alive. You don’t want to burn out your volunteers, although some organizations do exactly that.

If you have a stockpile of volunteers, everyone should get their turn. Sadly what happens is the glamour of volunteering fades and after a time or two, volunteers can fade away.

Organizations who use volunteers need to inspire them and treat them as if they are priceless gems because, in word and deed, they are just that. In many cases, the job wouldn’t get done without dedicated volunteers.

Some of the best volunteers come from industrious families. These are the doers – not the talkers. Look at the volunteer firefighters who worked alongside the paid firefighters in the recent barrage of disastrous wild land blazes that claimed all the acreage and homes.

Then there are the community volunteers, usually retirees, who patrol our streets taking up some of the slack for law enforcement that has been spread thin by budget cuts.

These days the young visit the old in care homes sometimes spreading cheer with music, while the old visit the primary school classrooms, sharing a bit of wisdom. It’s a nice trade off and everybody wins.

Children who are in clubs, scouts, 4-H and other youth organizations during their childhood have a wonderful opportunity to become volunteers at an early age.

I would say volunteering is truly American. If you go back in time, look at those who donated their time and effort for a host of worthwhile causes. Our forefathers were rich in monetary means, but they were rich in heart and soul that made this country great. When you read some of the accounts of those patriots, they gave far more than they were compensated for.

I guess that’s what’s missing today – those who step to the plate not looking what is in it for themselves, but for the good that benefits multitudes.

To stay afloat with today’s declining economy trimming so much manpower in the non-profit scene, volunteers can keep things in perspective. My suggestion is that if you have time to spare, rather than sit and watch soap operas or complain about the weather, go find a charitable organization that benefits man or beast and donate that idle time to help those less fortunate.