Posted 13 July 2011 - 06:57 PM
I could name various artists, but that would be boring since I doubt the majority of people know them.
I'd have to say my father. He's dedicated the later half of his life not to serving himself, but to serving his community and finding fulfillment through that. He's built houses with Habitat for Humanity, he's run three volunteer only area food banks and collected food for them three times a week, every week, he's served on the truancy board counciling failing students for over 10 years, he's served on the local Reading Foundation board promoting parental involvement to aid literacy, he's taken under two very troubled criminal-record youths under his wing as a substitute father figure, and he still goes out every single time a local Veteran dies to serve as Chaplain for the funeral for his VFW chapter.
The man has done so many things, I'm honestly at a lack to list them all. He's not famous, though he's been in the local newspaper and news stations quite a few times, but he does his very best to make an impact on at least a local level. I honestly hope that by the time that he's on his death bed he can see how far his ripples have impacted, look back, and feel satisfied for all the good he has done.
I hope that one day I will be able to afford to become a "professional volunteer" like he has. Until then, I will work hard to save enough money to be able to retire and begin my second career and do what I think is my true purpose in life.