Volunteers Anyone?

Why is it so difficult to find volunteer opportunities. The other day Hillary suggested we do volunteer work, which is something I've been wanting to do for quite some time. I actually suggested to my work "party planning committee" (don't ask) that we get involved in some volunteer projects like a year ago, but they took this to mean donating food and clothes at various points throughout the year.

Anyway, Hill and I spent several hours yesterday and today trying to find somewhere to volunteer at tomorrow. One would think in a city of this size, this would be an easy task. One would be wrong.

It honestly took me hours to find anything at all, and the first thing I found was volunteering at the Navy Pier Children's museum, and then for the Art Institute. Now don't me wrong, I'm all for museums, but I my idea of volunteering involved helping those in need or something.

Eventually I pulled out my pocket Ace and turned to Craigslist. Alas, there was nothing but volunteers need for oversees projects. Anyway, after much more digging, I finally found a soup kitchen that needs volunteers.

Now my question is, why is it so difficult to help out? Why do I need to be affiliated with a church just to do something good once in awhile? Why do I have to fill out an entire pamphlet of papers to help someone in need? And why are there 100 websites for me to find what bar specials there are for the weekend, but none for me to find things like volunteering.

Perhaps I am just a product of our generation. The only way I know how to find or do things is through the internet. Becca actually suggested I pick up the phone and start calling some homeless shelters or soup kitchens because they are likely to busy to bother with building an intricate website for volunteers. And, I'm sure she is right. But, that's still a lot of work.