When I was a child, I dragged my feet when it was time to clean up my bedroom on Saturday mornings, but somehow I loved the good feeling I experienced when helping my girlfriend clean hers. Volunteering kind of feels like that.

We are so fortunate to live in a country where most of us have a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs.

Most of us have leisure time during our weeks and the physical ability to be useful to others. In our gratitude for the lives we live, how can we not want to reach out and share our good fortune?

North Catasauqua William Molchany Sr. died last month at age 89. Years ago, he had served as the borough mayor for 12 years, but his dedication to the community went far beyond that.

We should all aspire to be as devoted to our neighbors as he was.

Bill volunteered with Cub Scouts and was a member of Knights of Columbus, Catholic War Veterans, American Legion, Western Electric Telephone Pioneers, Catasauqua Exchange Club and Suburban North YMCA, all organizations that reach out to help others in many ways.

He was active in his church, St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, which later became St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church, where he was a Eucharistic minister, choir member, caretaker and president and charter member of the Young at Heart group.

I am sure he got as much out of volunteering as did the people he helped, for that is the amazing thing about helping others - it most often makes the giver as happy as the receiver.

Another North Catasauqua resident, Bill Albert, died in 2014, leaving a legacy of assisting others.

Perhaps most recently remembered as president of The Great Allentown Fair, he served on the boards and in leadership positions of Lehigh Valley organizations too numerous to mention and was honored over the years with many awards for his service.

In his hometown, he was a member of the betterment committee and the J-4 Committee and served as chairman of the zoning hearing board.

Over the years, his community service was so outstanding the borough park was renamed in his memory.

All of us should consider contributing our time and energy to the community of souls around us. I am happy to note examples of young people who have been volunteering their time to support others.

Many local high school teams volunteer with the local Miracle League, supporting children with disabilities.

In Catasauqua, Sheckler Elementary School students set up a lemonade stand at meet the teacher night, raising money for new playground equipment.

Northwestern High School soccer team members are taking on handyman tasks to raise money to help a friend with medical expenses.

Volunteering often involves working in a group. The opportunity to make new friends brings sunshine into the lives of helpers as well as to those who receive aid, as these young people are learning.

Just show up to help in the kitchen at your church’s next spaghetti dinner, hoagie fundraiser or pierogi-making session and see what I mean.

In Whitehall, a small group of volunteers keeps the Ironton Rail Trail safe and clean, so thousands of area residents can enjoy walking and biking through the wooded area.

Individuals can make a difference, too. The American Cancer Society is looking for people willing to drive cancer patients to doctor and treatment appointments. Could this be something you have time to do?

I suspect once you get started helping others, you will not want to stop, as making that human connection makes us stronger, healthier and happier.

Ask Ben Ferenchek. A humble man, despite his own medical issues, he is always on the scene when Catasauqua seeks volunteers at the annual canal and borough cleanup day or when it’s time to make pine wreaths to decorate the downtown area.

He organized the mega class reunion at Catasauqua’s Old Home Week, has cycled many miles to raise money for cancer research and is right there when it’s time to work on clearing brush along the D&L Trail.

Helping others can involve many levels of commitment, some more serious and others just plain fun. And they may give you the opportunity to meet others like Bill Albert, Bill Molchany Sr. and Ben Ferenchek.

Lucky you.

Linda

Wojciechowski

associate editor

Catasauqua Press