Does this count as volunteering?

Question

Normally it wouldn't matter much to me, but I am writing an essay about different volunteer work which I have done, and, if it did count as volunteering, I could form a great paragraph about it.

My mom is under the impression that it does count, but I am a skeptic.

What it is: Coming on two years now, my grandma has lived in an assisted living facility. We go and visit her about ten hours a week. When we're there I go and visit with all of the residents, just chatting with them for a bit because most of them don't have relatives who come and visit them that much. From time to time, when one of them is sick, or something, I will feed them, because it just seems so sad to me when they are incapable of feeding themselves, and, if I was them, I'd want someone to help me. The care givers, who work there, are. for the most part, incredibly lazy, taking twenty minutes to come and answer an urgent call. When my grandma was living at home, I was trained how to properly move her from chair to chair, or onto the toilet. Because it often takes fifteen to twenty minutes for the care givers to respond when a call for help is made, I find myself doing their job; putting my grandma to bed, or whatever task she might need.

I classify this as just doing the right thing, helping a relative in need; however, my mom thinks this should classify as volunteering.

So: What do you think?

Joe · Accepted Answer

The time you spend with the other residents certainly counts as volunteering!  You could also count the time you spend with your grandmother.  (That's a bit of a gray area.  But the time you spend with the folks you're not related to definitely counts.)

When it comes time for you to put together a resume, list them separately.  Caregiving for an elderly relative counts, as does volunteer work with the other residents, even if it's just companionship.

Bless you for your generous spirit.  The people around you are lucky to have you.

Kristen · Answer

I agree with your dad. The purpose of HS volunteer programs are to take students out of their comfort zones and expose them to different environments and working conditions that exist in the community. While what you suggest is volunteer work, your being a manager for your coach, at your school with people you already know, doesn't fulfill the purpose of the volunteer programs.

Judy · Answer

Just because something is doing the right thing or doing something good, doesn't mean it's not volunteering.

Yes I'd agree with your mom.

? · Answer

I think your mother is wrong on at least 2 counts. . I am sure volunteer work is not for previous credit 

 2 your mother should let you tend to your problems esp something as simple as this.
She needs to remember she is raising a child to become a responsible person. and she needs to butt out.  Or she will become the mother that called little Becky's professor at am ivy league school, and spoke with him directly and told him Becky did not deserve the grade she was given.

Unfortunately true!  Parents don't see the flaws their child may have as they are no longer living at home,.

Jenean · Answer

Yes

Shoshannah · Answer

Of course you are doing the right thing, but that doesn't mean you can't list it on your resume. It is volunteering your own time, you certainly should list as relevant experience.

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Does this count as volunteering?

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