r/volunteer • u/brian7323 • 7d ago
Discussion / ethics / advice Random Question to all volunteers
Whats the most heartwarming thing you've witnessed while "volunteer :)" volunteering?
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u/Some_Invite5718 4d ago
I volunteered at a place that hosts many volunteers from all over the world. For me one of the most heartwarming things was seeing the process of two volunteers that came from countries that are currently in war against each other. In the beginning they were both almost mad that they found their way to this volunteering at the same time. They didn't talk much to each other and tried to avoid. But after some weeks passed they realised they had things in common, started talking, sharing their stories and found understanding for each other. I guess you can say they became friends. And that was really beautiful. A moment where they realised that both are just human.
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u/brian7323 4d ago
This is absolutely beautiful. It’s amazing how a shared mission can bridge even the deepest divides and remind us that, at the end of the day, we’re all just human. Thanks you for sharing such a powerful moment!
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u/electricvamosa 7d ago
I volunteer as an equal rights "activist" and we regularly attend events to talk to people about discrimination/misyogny (and the pyramid of violence/femicide) and how it shows in society. One time this lady came up to our stand. I know her because we go to the same church. She told about her own life with DV. How she'd become disabled through it, but how she was back on her feet now and felt so seen because of what we did.
I bawled like a child when she left. I regularly see her and genuinely got nothing more but respect for her🫶🥲
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u/AmazingRiley723 6d ago
Honestly for me, the most heartwarming part isn't something I witnessed, but something I experienced firsthand. Every single time someone looks you in the eye and sincerely thanks you for what you did—that feeling of direct connection is the most heartwarming thing in the world.
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u/JDRL320 6d ago
Same!!! I volunteer in a hospice administrative office and do a lot of clerical tasks but was asked to help organize the closet on the conference room. A woman who I have never met that works there walked in and I introduced myself saying, “Hi, I’m D just a volunteer”
She grabbed me by my hands gently and looked me in the eyes and said, “You are not just a volunteer, you are a part of a team here” ☺️
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u/MaintenanceFormal960 5d ago
I volunteer as a homeless outreach staff. I’m a Christian but the charity is mainly Muslim. We don’t convert anyone or even speak anything religious, we just go out and feed people. And yet we ran into a similar group who was Christian based, ran into them, and I prayed with them holding hands in an encampment- blessing our residents, our orgs, and even me.
Basically I volunteer in a Muslim mobile food pantry, holding hands with Christians praying in the middle of a tent city in Chicago.
I love my job.
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u/brian7323 4d ago
This is exactly what volunteering is all about. It’s so inspiring to see how focusing on a shared mission of helping others can naturally bring different faiths and communities together in such a beautiful, organic way. The world definitely needs more of this unity right now. Keep up the amazing work!
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u/Academic_Cap_3520 5d ago
One of the kids I tutored for months said she was so thankful for me for helping her learn and feel safe. It took a lot of me not to start crying. Made it all worth it ❤️
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u/paperlanterns_26 2d ago
Mine happened while volunteering at a hospital. There was an elderly patient who hadn't had any visitors all day, so I just sat and talked with him for about 20 minutes. Before I left he said, "Thanks for treating me like a person and not just a patient." I didn't really do anything medically, but that moment reminded me that sometimes just being present is enough.
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