Results: Get By With A Little Help From My Friends (Or Total Strangers)
Published on 11/19/2018
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Destinee and Paul Klyne, of Penticton, British Columbia, had planned a dream vacation in the aptly-named town of Paradise, in northern California for mid-November, but then a deadly wildfire erupted, destroying much of the community. Instead of the dream vacation they had planned, the couple opted to spend their vacation in a Walmart parking lot, which had turned into a refugee for wildfire victims. They flew out to the region earlier this week to help out. They've been serving meals to fire evacuees just outside Paradise — everything from hot dogs to pasta to quesadillas. Food trucks, tents and volunteers dot the area with smoke so thick, it is difficult to see the Walmart sign from the other side of the lot. The couple have also been giving out $25 gift cards bought with money sent in by friends and family. Destinee said she has seen evacuees filing in, some in cars with their side panels melted off, with few belongings. She noted that they felt this was the least they could do -- after all "words fail me. They are literally starting all over," she said. The couple said witnessing the spirit of giving and gratitude has been heart-warming. Would you ever consider doing something like this couple did?
No
18%
393 votes
Yes, and I have
8%
185 votes
Yes, I would do something like this
40%
881 votes
No sure
34%
758 votes
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Word began to spread Thursday that efforts were being made to phase out the camp by gradually removing donated clothing, food and toilets. This make-shift camp was never intended to be a long-term solution, but with so many displaced from their homes, some permanently, it certainly has served a necessary purpose. The ultimate goal is to get these people out of tents, out of their cars and into warm shelter, into homes. This has opened up a new crisis in the area, with shelters already full to beyond capacity. Have you contributed to this relief effort as of yet?
Yes
9%
191 votes
No
39%
874 votes
No, but I plan to
10%
218 votes
No, but my own area is in need of relief help right now too
5%
115 votes
Not in a position to do so
37%
819 votes
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Volunteer vacations, or vacations with altruistic purposes, have become increasingly popular in recent years, so you can experience a new country, and help the people who live there. Not only are there the obvious advantages, there are also real health benefits to this type of vacation. Here are some of the advantages. Which ones did you already know about?
Studies show that pain, depression, and disability decreased after volunteering, while self-efficacy remained stable. Several months later, the researchers found that the improvements continued without harm, suggesting that volunteering may help alleviate chronic pain. The researchers note that the participants reported themes of "making a connection" and having "a sense of purpose" when volunteering.
18%
395 votes
Researchers have also studied whether volunteering had any effect on depression. They took data from the Americans' Changing Lives survey, but looked at 3 different years of data. They found that initially volunteering lowered depression for those over 65, and over time benefited all age groups. The researchers note that some of the protection from depression came from the social integration of volunteering.
13%
290 votes
Studies have shown that volunteering can play a role in increasing your overall sense of well-being, and can actually increase your longevity
22%
481 votes
A report by the Corporation for National and Community Service states that people who volunteer have less incidence of heart disease. A review of current research also suggests that volunteering is especially beneficial to older adults and those who serve 100 volunteer hours a year.
6%
137 votes
Knew all
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223 votes
Knew none
59%
1304 votes
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Here are just a few of the many volunteer vacation projects that are available, if you would like to combine vacation with a purpose. Which of these would appeal to you?
The Earthwatch Institute offers trips to remote locations where scientific research is done from filming dolphins to testing water to gathering nutritional information.
9%
190 votes
The American Hiking Society offers trips from Maine to Alaska where participants rebuild footpaths, cabins, and shelters.
8%
181 votes
The Sierra Club works on a variety of tasks, from observing marine life to maintaining vulnerable wilderness areas.
13%
285 votes
Passport in Time centers its vacations on archaeological excavations and preserving historical structures.
9%
209 votes
Wilderness Volunteers work with public land agencies like the Forest Service to preserve and clear wild lands.
8%
179 votes
Volunteer Abroad Canada where you can choose from hundreds of different volunteer and intern abroad projects in destinations across the globe, in various fields, from working with children in care facilities, to shadowing doctors in hospitals and clinics.
10%
221 votes
All of these sound great
29%
639 votes
None
44%
969 votes
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