Volunteering Books

Paul Jellinek's Promise to Mary chronicles the author's travels through the northeast, south, and Alaska, capturing the spirit of "Faith in Action," a loose confederation of interfaith religious congregations who mobilize volunteers to care for the elderly and homebound. Told in the form of refreshingly original vignettes, an engaging portrait emerges of care-givers and receivers. We see the lines separating them often blurred, with some drawn to this calling by traumatic life events, leaving an indelible formative imprint on their life's experience.

Begun in 1993 through a series of nationwide grants awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the groups were started through seed grants to fund a paid executive to coordinate the volunteer base. The author's visits reveal that most of the original 25 have flourished more than 20 years, melding into the bedrock of community service in their individual locales.

The author skillfully remains the unobtrusive central character, through whom these voices are heard. The human toll exacted over a lifetime is examined in stories woven in a distinctly compassionate literary style. The author's gently probing questions are genuine and heartfelt. He gives voice to those whose eloquence, stifled by their infirmities, reveals their quiet perseverance and he allows them to express simply stated life-affirming truths.

Dr. Jellinek celebrates the nobility and dignity of those who populate the book. The overriding tone is decidedly redemptive and hopeful. Stories of great courage emerge as the unsung heroes of local community service manage time and again to marshal their inner reserves, drawing upon a fragile yet durable support network woven of member interfaith congregations and faith communities. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary things, largely under the radar. The stories call to mind the importance of small deeds which loom large in the lives of those whom they touch.

The nonthreatening imprimatur of "church" is time and again the narrow margin breached by wary "forgotten souls" who tentatively reach out for much needed help. Their simple but profound acts of faith and trust are to what the program owes its success.

This book should be required reading, especially for those embarking on a career in social work or community service. To read it is to be infused with a sense of all that is possible and to have one's faith in humanity restored, through a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of some of the finest people one could meet. The author succeeds in focusing a deserving spotlight on those remarkable people who populate our everyday lives, but whose heroic deeds are largely unknown, except to those whose lives are quietly transformed by their gentle presence.

This is a book whose power lies in the gentle yet compelling individual stories which emerge, revealing the humanity which lies within all of us. It is also a compelling journey of personal discovery for the author as well as a wonderful historical record of Faith in Action.




Dr. Jellinek documents the sustained viability of what remains a simple but profound formula for success - ordinary people accomplishing the extraordinary, when artificial barriers to human compassion, in the form of preconceived stereotypes are ignored and people are free to relate to one another on the most basic level. By entering this world with Paul as your guide, you emerge hope-filled and humbled by the extraordinary compassion his journey reveals.

Paul's caring and poignant sharing of his journey across the continent and through the years with Faith in Action is one that will warm your heart and hopefully inspire you to look closely at your own community. I will guess that you won't look far to find your own Mary, Gracie, Harold or Eddie Mae. But stop and look farther. Find what it is you can do in your own community and with your own neighbors to help - with or without a Faith in Action project. Paul will tell you from his own experience as a Faith in Action volunteer for many years, that you will get so very much more than you give.

Thank you Paul for writing this important anthology once again proving what a small group of very committed people can do.

Paul Jellinek is a masterful interviewer and storyteller. The amount of depth and detail he was able to uncover in the lives of those he visited in just a few short hours is incredible. For those who take time to assist neighbors in their communities, it is an affirmation. For everyone else, it is compelling work of non-fiction that will keep you reading on and on. It is truly inspirational. I would recommend this book to everyone.

This is a book with a mission. It accomplishes its mission and then some. It spreads the word about Faith in Action, a successful, 15-year-old national program that brings together local congregations of different faiths to provide volunteer help to elderly and disabled individuals. Through interviews with administrators, caregivers and those they help, the book enlightens the reader about the program and its life-altering accomplishments.

The interviews, combined with the author's observations, provide keen insight into many of our country's great challenges--racism, poverty, crime, drugs, isolation, loneliness, abandonment. They also show how Faith in Action and its remarkable staff and volunteers take on these challenges and make a difference. The book is instructive, inspirational, and motivating. Undoubtedly, some who read it will become volunteers themselves.

The book's style is entertaining and captivating. The author brings us along on his road trip to contrasting parts of America where he conducts his interviews--New England, the South, and the Last Frontier of Alaska. Through his writing we share the scenery, weather, accommodations, and food he experienced--the good, the bad, and the ugly. (On the good front, I long for a piece of the "...best slice of pie I had ever had at a restaurant." Inquiring minds should see page 217.)

Each interview is a personality profile. We are introduced to a bevy of characters--some endearing, some distasteful, all remarkable. Among the favorites are the indomitable eighty-five-year-old Miss Helen; Sylvia, who once excelled in the study of mold spores and now excels in administering social services; Kim, whose hard life has transformed her into an expert practitioner of compassion; Jamie, a former wild child turned nurse with unique experiences involving death and dying; and Rodney, a former gang member who has yet to recognize his power and purpose.

The book has a rare attribute--a wonderful use of humor. There are more than a few laugh-out-loud moments. Always appropriate, humor is skillfully interjected throughout our journey with the author.

A Promise to Mary is reader-friendly. Because of its clever format--broken out by geography and interview--it can be picked up and put down as the reader's lifestyle dictates. It can be read in one sitting from cover to cover, enjoyed at the beach, or become part of a daily public transportation commute.

I owe a great deal to the book and its author. During my time reading the book, it became my travel companion, making my weekday commute a pleasure. My faith in the goodness of human beings has been reinforced. And I have added one more goal to my list of things to accomplish--becoming a Faith in Action volunteer. Thank you, Dr. Jellinek. Well done.

PROMISE TO MARY is a gem. With a narrative style that rings true, the very real characters are as complex and interesting as any in a work of fiction. The author's genuine, but realistic, empathy provides a welcome antidote to the "kumbaya"-tinged works common to the genre. It is enough to provide even the cynic with at least a modest insight into our shared humanity.

I must say that I really enjoy this book. It is well written and provides alot of very good information. It is a good resource book to keep in your RV. I am planning to go full time RVing in the next couple of months and this book helped me to make that important decision. Read and enjoy folks!

We found this book a very valuable resource for planning on our eventual fulltiming phase of life. It is a very easy read, but it also has the information you need. It's very well laid out! Thanks for a great book!

Support Your RV Lifestyle: An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road (Second Edition)
is a wonderful resource -- it's well-written, filled with great information, and is inspirational and encouraging, as well. Jaimie Hall is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about her topic. It's obvious that she's a seasoned traveler -- and has been both working on the road and talking to many other RVers who have worked while enjoying their travels.

The book summarizes over 350 jobs (in categories like work at rv parks and resorts, christmas tree farms, state parks and national forest areas, concessions, seasonal jobs, sales of rv related products, crafts, writing and consulting). Details like how to handle resumes, long-distance job interviews, contact information and communication while traveling, and the right questions to ask about jobs are also covered. In addition to the many options it lists, it points out possible problems and challenges one may encounter on the road while trying to find a job or while working.

If you (like us) are thinking about traveling in an RV, this is the book to have in the planning stage -- and I assume it will also be helpful when on the road.
Also check out the author's website and enewsletter.

My husband was intrigued by the idea of full-timing in an RV. This book gives you ideas of working while moving around in your RV. Maybe working a seasonal job in a theme park or with a tour group, on a guest ranch or in a national park appeals to you. Some jobs offer free campsites.
Ultimately I chickened out on the idea, but if you think the open road is for you and want to make some money along the way, be sure to read this book.
It includes a ton of info in the appendix: including contact information for state tourist bureaus, state parks, state revenue offices and state motor vehicle and licensing bureaus and more, plus an additional 32 pages of resources.

Many people who contemplate living the RV lifestyle probably equate it with a leisurely retirement. But what if you combine RVing with a lucrative work life? You may discover that you can hit the road at a younger age and reap more rewards.
Support Your RV Lifestyle spells out in great detail exactly how to live this dream life. Jaimie Hall speaks from her own experience and culls information from a wealth of other sources to create a comprehensive tool for planning to live and work on the road.
Just as you wouldn't set out on a trip without a road map, you would be miles ahead by consulting this guide before embarking on this life journey. There's a lot more to consider than where to park your vehicle each night. Don't assume you'll just "find a job" when you reach your destination. There are many considerations, from tying your marketable skills to a job on the road, to balancing work and fun, to tax implications. Because Ms. Hall is so thorough with her guidance, you will be well-equipped to make decisions about how to combine work with pleasure.
It is likely that some of her 100-plus pages of worksheets and resource lists would assist travelers in general, not only those traveling and working out of an RV. You'll recoup the price of this travel guide many times if you choose to follow its course for living and working on the road

Although a self-described "techie", I really enjoyed Reiter's book. She isn't anti technology as I expected she would be. Rather she seems to recommend taking a regular sabbatical from the Rat Race to "smell the flowers." As you question why you are taking that next business trip, take this book along and you'll question it even more.

It is incredible how much we are unaware of our total dependence on technology these days. Nancy Whitney-Reiter reminds us with soulful advice how important it is to remember our roots; much like Rousseau, a real return to nature is advocated throughout this well-researched book.

If you feel stressed-out by the outside world, want to get away but don't know how, this book is your bible. Without failure, it shall help you to sort through your many dependences on the plugged world and will loosen those dependences through easy-to-follow steps and exercises. "Unplugged" is going to hit the world big, and it should because our era demands a drastic transformation back to the essentials and back to our real selves.

We Americans work more hours a week than our counterparts in other industrialized nations. Yet, while many of us have found our society's "official trappings of success" (title, income, cars, houses, stuff), many of us haven't truly found ourselves. Why not? Author Nancy Whitney-Reiter suggests that before we're even out of high school, we're being fast-tracked into careers that we then dutifully perform until we wake up one day and finally say, "Even though I appear to have it all, I'm not happy."

"Unplugged" asks us to question whether we're enjoying the "success" we have while being connected to the "consumption driven matrix." If our answer is "no," or even "maybe not," then this book is a smorgasbord of food for thought. Whitney-Reiter tells us the stories of others have temporarily gotten away from it all, including herself, and then provides practical advice and resources for unplugging and re-thinking our goals without losing our shirts or our sanity. Our planning includes attending to family, friends, career, debts, house and car, and prospective world wide volunteer opportunities and other travel options.

The author reminds us that unplugging is NOT a vacation trip: it's turning off the chaos of cell phones, WiFI, the hustle and bustle of work, and even grand-tour sight-seeing agendas and making time to ponder who we are and what we want. We must plan how we leave work, perhaps through a corporate sabbatical, and how we return to the world we know some 3-6 months later.

This well-written book provides you with the well-thought-out advice you need to begin your journey and return with a new lease on life.

Unplugged: How to Disconnect from the Rat Race, Have an Existential Crisis, and Find Meaning and Fulfillment (Culture Tools)

Burned out? Had enough? Even if you never leave your backyard, this book is filled with tips on how to de-stress by unplugging. If you do venture forth, you will find Ms. Whitney-Reiters' book a plethora of suggestions on how to accomplish even the most minute details you will need to take care of before you pack your suitcase, in a realistic, logical, warmly human, and humorous way.

First of all, this is way more than a travelogue. As you read, you may find yourself questioning your own motives for wanting to disconnect. When I got to the end, I said to myself, "Time to put this plan in motion." I read through rather quickly because I found that I wanted to keep learning. Now I want to re-read it so that I can actually study it and do the writing exercises with which Ms. Whitney-Reiter has concluded each chapter.

Secondly, the source guide at the end is chock full of useful resources. I've been plugged in exploring websites and researching suggested reading.

If you've decided you are in need of a break from the life you're tied to, I suggest you give this a read. As I wrote in the beginning of this review, even if you never leave your backyard, I bet you'll look at your life with fresh eyes.

Unplug
Unplugged: How to Disconnect from the Rat Race, Have an Existential Crisis, and Find Meaning and Fulfillment (Culture Tools)

The other day I heard of a friend who was planning to go off on a year long sabbatical at Christmas. My mum rather dryly remarked 'Why would anyone want to do that? The girl's 35 not 25!' A typical baby boomer response to a modern day dilemma? Perhaps. My first response to this might be that many of us in middle adulthood are living quietly desperate lives. In the words of Henry David Thoreau 'The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation' and this isn't a situation which appears to have moved on much since he said this in 1854.

The problem with quiet desperation is that it is not so easy to get away from. How many of us wanted to cheer when we saw Lester Burnham in 'American Beauty', get up and leave his job, get fit and 'get it back'? How many of us wanted to get up from our seat in the cinema and follow his example, leave the prisons that we have built up around ourselves within the pretence of respectability.

As Abba suggest in their hit 'The winner takes it all', is building me a home and a family, and playing by the rules really such a good idea or a kind of false reality? Do a lot of us live in a fake half-life, of the type derided by Paulo Coelho in many of his blogs and writings in which he talks about the drive of many to acquire a status of permanent Sunday afternoon-style peace in their lives, with not too many challenges and everything played by the book? The human existence craves for so much more than this, and Nancy Whitney-Reiter is one person who appears to have realized this.

Her book 'Unplugged: How to Disconnect from the Rat Race, Have an Existential Crisis, and Find Meaning and Fulfillment' responds to the inner and unexpressed dilemma of many which asks, how do we reconnect with ourselves, when all around us the modern, fast-paced world appears to be going slowly mad?

As a mother of two small (ish) boys, I found myself reading this book somewhat wistfully, as it was clear that a person with no dependents would find everything they needed in this book to help them unplug. I was enthused and encouraged by the first chapters and compelled to read on and discover exactly how I would be able to unplug too.

Nancy talks about the reasons why you might need to unplug and I would suggest many of them are relevant to many people, everywhere.

All of this is laced with her own experiences, which are candid. The reader is given a glimpse into the journey Nancy has been on, having been caught up in the catastrophe of 9/11. She paints the picture of her former self, a full scale achiever, top earner and successful corporate player who, on the surface of her life, had everything. Maybe someone I would never have come across in my life. Thankfully for me and for many others who will read this book, this twist of fate meant that I did (albeit in the virtual sense).

The book also goes into the necessary details you must consider if planning to unplug, be it during a sabbatical from work, or a full scale, life-changing, no going back style experience. It also looks at the different ways in which a person can unplug, as of course, not everyone considers travelling in the physical world a vehicle for life change. For some, unplugging whilst remaining at home, must also be an option, something this book recognises.

So back to me. How can I unplug after reading this book? I think that, for all my wistfulness, I realise that we make our own cages to live within. Mine is a somewhat hackneyed response about having too many responsibilities and people to look after to be able to get away, but forgetting something. The best moments of my life have been when I've made the effort to take myself out of my comfort zone, and this can be done by anyone, regardless of circumstance. At the heart of Nancy's book is the idea that we all can, and should, unplug in one way or another.

In case, like me, the book leaves you at a precipice of wanting more, in order to explore the idea of unplugging more fully, Nancy also offers ongoing support and links to helpful resources through her website ([...]). Nancy is brave and has come out of her comfort zone in a big way, but so can we, if we really want to. Reading her book will make you want to. Reading this book will help you to take that very necessary first step. As my husband's Sicilian grandfather used to be very fond of telling me, the hardest step is that of your threshold.

So, read this book! It is well worth it.

I love hearing about ordinary people, placed in extraordinary situations. Great stories about people who are your next door neighbor - which is kinda what the Red Cross is all about.

A book that takes you inside the American Red Cross and introduces the volunteers and employees who live the mission- helping neighbors in crisis, locally, nationally and around the world.
Michele Turk has also done a terrific job of illustrating how this organization rises to the occassion- from wartime to the devastating natural disasters and acts of terrorism- and how Americans depend on the Red Cross to respond.
The mission is what it's all about, and Ms. Turk presents the stories of volunteers and staffers in a way that makes you appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that they have given to the people they have served.
It's an inspiring book and one that should encourage you to call your local chapter and volunteer!

This is an amazing collection of true stories of generations of Red Cross volunteers, which is both a compelling look at the lives of these brave and adventurous Americans as well as an intimate account of the events that have shaped our modern society, from wars and disasters to improvements in safety and community development. I read the book cover to cover on a long flight and was in tears more than once. The lives of the volunteers and the way in which Ms. Turk organizes and presents their Red Cross focus shows the real life generosity of spirit and humanism of the Red Cross, without sugar coating some of the controversy surrounding its bureaucracy.

As I read the individual stories I found myself smiling and tearing.

Ms Turk brought the oral history of the American Red Cross to life in such a way that captured the compassion, dignity, and gentleness of generations of Red Cross responders.

Instead of shying away from the tough criticism challenging the American Red Cross, Ms Turk helped the reader understand that in spite of difficult challenges the American Red Cross is always there providing vital services in the most difficult situations.

Readers may find themselves motivated by this book to discover how they too can make a difference by getting involved in helping others in need.

The Busy Family's Guide to Volunteering is a wonderfully comprehensive digest of multiple opportunities that exist for families to work together to make a difference on a one-time, intermittent, or ongoing basis. Ms. Friedman offers very supportive advice about not letting this become one more complication in a busy family's life. Her book offers so many different ways to contribute so that almost anyone's schedule can be accommodated. The anecdotal stories contribute to the sense that these are reachable and doable tasks for all ages. The many references are concise and informative; the thoughtful appendix provides ways to get started as you assess your families' interests and abilities to help. This is a valuable resource for home, school and public libraries, as well as faith-based organizations and service groups.

JFK asked us to see what we can do for the country rather than what the country can do for us. I read this book and got excellent insight as to how we can practice family values by working together to help the world around us. Volunteering as a family provides some solid foundation for the children of tomorrow. As we all have learned, our children, learn not by merely what we say and ask them to do but by what we do.I am delighted to see Dr. Jenny Friedman write a simple, step by step yet very compelling and practical ideas for the families to provide service to make this world a better place to live.

After I read this book, I decided to buy a personal copy of this book as my holiday gift to all of my staff. My staff are based not only in the United States but also in Japan, Ireland, Spain and Germany. Each of them have already called me to express their appreciation for this thoughtful book and it's ideas for volunteering with their family.

I wish this author great success in promoting this idea not only in the USA but around the world.

Jay

Jenny Friedman's book is the ultimate "how-to" for busy parents who understand the true value of caring about others; want to raise children who are empathic, caring and generous; and are seeking meaningful ways to connect and spend time with their children. As a child psychologist and busy working parent of three children, this book is particularly meaningful for me. While I strive to teach my children the importance of community awareness and volunteerism, I often feel as though there aren't enough hours in the day. Jenny Friedman's book provides simple, easy, meaningful ways for families to make a difference in the lives of others-- often without ever leaving the living room! We have already incorporated countless suggestions from this book we are so grateful for this invaluable reference.

Between two careers, three kids, homework, countless school and after-school activities, and the daily grind of laundry, cleaning, and cooking, I have yet to find that perfect "balance" proclaimed possible by so many women's magazines. Throw in the idea of volunteering, and I might just cry. Tell me I should get the whole family involved, and I'm more likely to laugh.

How in the world could I find time to get my family to volunteer together?

Jenny Friedman has an idea. In fact, she has lots of ideas for families of all shapes, sizes, and income levels. From toddlers to teens, Friedman lists activities kids can tackle from home to the ends of the earth.

Friedman makes the case that one of the best ways to teach kids compassion and responsibility is by letting them help others, and by tying their volunteering opportunities to their interests and passions.

Accordingly, her new book lays out volunteer possibilities working directly with people, protecting animals, supporting the environment, fighting poverty, building community, and taking social action. From letter-writing to mentoring, serving in soup kitchens to organizing fundraisers, tutoring to coupon clipping, there are ideas even the youngest and the most over-stressed can manage.

This book should be in every church and school library, and would be a great gift for young (and not-so-young) families.

Healing Katrina was a powerful look into the reality of volunteering. Timothy's musings and thoughts - not always full of smiles and laughter, but always with real emotions - positions the post-Katrina atmosphere in a new light. Anyone who plans on volunteering in the Delta, or who is thinking about volunteering and is filled with excitement, should read Healing Katrina. By the conclusion, you have a look into the ups and downs, the ebb and flow, of volunteering and of giving your best in a situation that at times has no best to show you. I continue to recommend this book to anyone who wants to volunteer in our post-Katrina world.

Alexis Dobbins

Tim Warneka in his book, Healing Katrina, shares his detailed, personal, and compassionate experience, as an American Red Cross Volunteer, in the after math of the most destructive natural disaster in U.S. history. Healing Katrina gives a very interesting and fresh look into the `behind the scenes' responsibilities of the volunteers and mental health care professionals assigned to the American Red Cross base in Mississippi.

Extremely insightful and very informative, Tim Warneka has written an excellent resource book. A must read for those who have a heart to help others in crises.

Marsha Johnson is the author of Emerald's Garden How to grieve, mourn, and recover from loss. [...]

With the Mississippi Coast reeling from the catastrophe destruction of Hurricane Katrina, Tim Warneka, a clinical counselor from Ohio, volunteers with the American Red Cross. Through his on-site journaling and afterthoughts, he gives emotional insight into his experiences while serving in that devastated area. Tim does not write through the eyes of the clinical counselor that he is, but as one human being to another. The unnamed faces of the Mississippi Gulf Coast become real people who lost everything and are struggling to come to grips with the upheavals of Katrina.
Tim openly shares how the emotional impact of the volunteering spills over into all aspects of the volunteer's life once the mission is completed. For Tim, he gains a new understanding in the post-traumatic symptoms of combat veterans.
This is not a book to be read for enjoyment. Use this book to gain insight into the emotional impact of volunteering during recovery and reconstruction after such natural disasters as hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, etc.

In "Healing Katrina" Tim Warneka records his first-hand experience as a volunteer mental health professional with the American Red Cross. Tim was deployed to Mississippi in the immediate aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The book is a compilation of Journal entries, blogs, photographs and commentary covering the two week period of Tim's assignment. Warneka is publishing this work in an effort to raise the awareness level of the American people to the extensive damage and devastation caused by these catastrophic storms.

In the final chapter of the book Tim makes this observation: "Words simply fail to describe the enormity of the destruction caused by the 2005 hurricane season...property damage suffered in the billions of dollars. The psychological, financial, emotional and physical scars will be with us for years to come."

Tim is a true motivator. I found myself wanting to start blogging, and to reestablish my journal writing. I also felt moved to explore the possibility of applying for training with the Red Cross in preparation for the next National or local emergency.

"Healing Katrina" is a book that should be on the reading list of our representatives in Washington, for community service organizations, and for concerned citizens. It is a wake up call to the importance of disaster preparedness and world relief.

Ecotourism and "environmental voluntourism" often are mechanisms for encouraging people to exchange money for experiences related to environmental protection, habitat restoration, experiencing nature in its many forms, and experiencing new places and cultures.

Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawaii's Environment, has a simpler objective... to match people and projects in enhancing and protecting Hawaii's natural resources. Money is not a crucial link in the chain, but the passion and willingness to roll up your sleeves and work, is required.

Author and compiler Kirsten Whatley states the book's purpose thusly:

"Consider this an invitation, no matter your origin. Consider it a call to arms - and to hands and feet and backs and rakes and hoes and sweat. We all need a paradise to come home to. But we need to consider our impact on this paradise - more importantly, our responsibility to it. The opportunities in this book are one way to begin" (p. vii).

Whatley outlines a number of environmental volunteer opportunities for the islands of Hawaii (14), Kauai (8), Maui (20), Molokei (1), and Oahu (16), along with a number of multi-island projects. Her focus is on projects that need people for just a few hours up to those projects that require a commitment of not more than three months. She includes a description of the need and the agency (in almost all cases a non-profit), the nature of the volunteer activities, how much advance notice is necessary in order to volunteer, the difficulty level of the activities, whether monetary donations are encouraged, and the complete contact information for the group's volunteer coordinator.

I'm unfamiliar with many of these opportunities, so their description was of great interest. I have participated in Reef Check Hawaii training, and have volunteered with Friends of Hanauma Bay and Malama na Honu, and I was impressed at the congruence of my own experiences and Whatley's descriptions. And I know the Oahu Invasive Species Committee can really work its volunteers... when the author noted their difficulty level was a 5 (1 is low, 5 is high), I knew that Whatley was striving to make these listings as accurate (and thus not disappointing) as possible.

The "Time Commitment" index outlines all projects based on the minimum time you are asked to volunteer:

- a few hours to one day (51 groups)
- a few days to a few weeks (6 groups)
- at least one month (2 groups)
- at least two months (8 groups)
- at least three months (3 groups)
- flexible time commitments (19 groups)

There is something here for everyone. Mahalo nui loa to Kirsten Whatley for making this collection of activities available!

Now go out and do good things!

This beautifully written book makes it easy for the average traveler to participate in caring for & exploring the Hawaiian islands.
If you are looking for an adventure that takes you off the tourist map and into the Aloha Spirit, this book is a must have!

I especially love the ease of finding contacts on all islands (the email addresses as well as phone #s). The personal quotes along with stunning photos of the places and volunteers make me feel like I could ring a group up and be welcomed immediately.

Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawaii's Environment
This wonderful resource book will inspire and motivate the reader, no matter where they happen to live. Although the book features opportunities in volunteering to preserve and protect the Hawai'i environment, Whatley's words will invoke your spirit and encourage you to volunteer in your own corner of the world. I recommend Preserving Paradise as a well-organized and easily-read resource for anyone who is so inclined to check out the volunteer opportunities presented. However, it goes "beyond paradise" reaching deep into our own consciousness about protecting our environment - be it Hawai'i or your own personal paradise.
This book should be a must read for those considering a visit to Hawai'i. Even if you are not interested in volunteering, it will encourage you to be aware and to respect the delicate environmental balance of the Hawai'ian Islands.

Preserving Paradise is a gem of a book! As ecological consciousness grows this book shines offering numerous tangible opportunities for willing volunteers to partake in a healing relationship with the bounty and beauty of nature in Hawaii's idyllic settings. Whatley has written an admiring, comprehensive reference book with understanding and appreciation for the living world. The book is illustrated throughout with colour images and comes in an easily portable format.If you are seeking a transformative path, a wonderful chance to share in the care and renewal of the web of life then this book is a treasure trove of insights and ideas for you!

As a high school librarian who bought this book years ago, I can tell you it was well worth the money. (Not too short, not too long, answers many questions teens may have about volunteering, gives practical, easy to understand, useful advice, and ideas for exploration.) If you are a teen thinking about helping others(develop personal skills and resume while you're at it) or have teens in your life who might be interested in volunteering, do pick up a copy.

Many of today's young people want to make a difference, even if their schools haven't made volunteering a graduation requirement. Gralla's book not only takes that selfless drive and nurtures the spirit, but he offers sensible, down-to-earth advice on how to act upon it. Unlike many authors of "how-to" books for kids and teenagers, Gralla doesn't talk down to his target audience; he treats the reader as an intelligent human being, while at the same time avoiding technical terms or other intimidating jargon. Little side anecdotes about real-world volunteer experiences from the lives of Gralla and his family contribute to the overall readability of the book. Even the most cynical of adults can find something useful in here to steer them toward the benefits of public service. -- Laura Klotz, author of "Saving the World in Your Spare Time"

Sheryl Kayne has truly written a one-of-a-kind book, filled with fun stories and an endless list of authentic "immersion excursions." I look forward to reading more of what Sheryl has to offer in the future as she will be one of the country's great travel writers.

I love to travel and do interesting things. I just picked up Immersion Travel USA--what a well written, well-researched book. There is something for everyone--and every trip and activity suggested is more different and unique than the next.

Experience an archaeological dig, volunteer at a national park, or play at the NY Yankees fantasy camp--If you love to travel, whether you are just getting started, or have traveled extensively, you will surely enjoy this book as much as I do.

Volunteering Around the Globe: Life-Changing Travel Adventures by Suzanne Stone This book is simple to read because it is so well organized to be the best reference for how to travel as a volunteer, whether in the United States or other countries. There are many personal experiences that various volunteer travelers share, describing what they did to help in many different countries and how it affected their own lives. The author tells how to choose among the many organizations which offer places and ways to see the world as a volunteer, helping as you go. Stone emphasizes that although you will give much needed help, you will receive far more benefits in the personal growth experience and the satisfiaction of knowing you made a difference. The areas of service which she discusses in the bookare volunteers for business development, construction, cultural preservation, disaster relief, environmental work and conservation, healthcare,social services and teaching. She tells how to plan for the trip, what to take, and which organizations to contact. This is a MUST for anyone who has thought about traveling as a volunteer, and you don't have to have any expertise or foreign language knowledge.

This book is invaluable for anyone who has an instinctive wish to serve others but doesn't know where to begin. Suzanne Stone provides step-by-step guidelines for how to plan and carry out a volunteer mission. She presents, on both a domestic and global scale, an array of volunteer opportunities that some might never imagine. The stories of individual volunteer accomplishments, and especially the author's own experiences, are inspiring, and empower the reader to say, "I can do that"!