Serving others

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

Every year during the Easter season, the Green Bay Diocese asks Catholics to focus on service as part of its emphasis on Stewardship as a way of life.

There can be no doubt of the importance of service to others as a basic ingredient and requirement of community. The gospels are filled with examples of Jesus both telling us and showing us how to serve. Consider, for example: the numerous miracles of healing; the feeding of the multitudes with loaves and fishes; the story of the Good Samaritan; the washing of the disciples' feet; and his death on the cross.

No parish could exist without volunteers who lovingly and willingly perform the many tasks that need doing.

The same is true for our government, particularly on the local level. Consider, for example, the Brown County Human Services Department, which last week held its 33rd annual volunteer recognition dinner, sponsored by the Green Bay Packers.

During 2005, volunteers contributed 24,190 hours of service to that department alone. These services include volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles to takes clients to appointments; one-on-one volunteers to help the elderly and physically or mentally disabled persons with daily needs; monitors for supervised court-ordered visitations; student interns; Pals for at-risk children; volunteer guardians for adults the courts have determined are "incompetent"; and volunteers who provide a variety of services to residents of the county Mental Health Center.

Those 24,190 donated hours of service are equivalent to 13.5 full-time employees. A 2004 study estimated the value of volunteer service at $17.55 an hour, meaning Brown County Human Services Department volunteers gave $424,534.50 in service to the county.

But this isn't just about the money volunteers saved county taxpayers. The volunteers built an interpersonal bond with the people they served that surpasses any financial considerations.

Unfortunately, no figures are available for how many hours of service Catholics give our parishes. But the amount of service provided in only one county department reminds us of how high that number must be. Well done good and faithful stewards.