Hi, my name is Dallas, and I wanted to share my experience volunteering for the first time with you! As a Service Member interning with Soldiers’ Angels through SkillBridge, I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the organization by stepping into the role of a volunteer. This experience gave me a new perspective on the incredible impact volunteers have. I hope sharing my experience helps you see the difference you can make and inspires you to take that first step into volunteering! 

Volunteering for the first time can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, even when done virtually. Stepping into an unfamiliar experience, unsure of what to expect but eager to make a difference, was exactly how I felt when signing up with Soldiers’ Angels.  

Getting Started

When I first logged onto the Soldiers’ Angels volunteer dashboard, I noticed a training section and decided to start there. Several quick and easy-to-understand training modules, including “Welcome to Soldiers’ Angels” greeted me. These trainings were full of useful information, and after completing modules like OPSEC, Letter writing, and Understanding Mail stop dates, I felt ready to explore the volunteer opportunities available.  

Even after training, the sheer amount of volunteer opportunities felt a bit overwhelming. However, I soon discovered that I could filter the opportunities by category. This put me at ease as it became easier to find an opportunity that fit my time availability and budget.

My Experience

With limited funds but plenty of time, I decided to start with a letter-writing opportunity. My task was simple, write a letter of encouragement to deployed Service Members. But as I started writing I realized the deeper significance of what I was doing. Each word I wrote represented a piece of home, bringing a small comfort to someone serving far away. 

From there, I expanded my efforts to include card opportunities. There are cards for various occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, encouragement, and condolences. Wanting to make each card more personal, I began decorating them with a scrapbook-like theme, ensuring that every card was heartfelt and unique.  

Some members leave personal messages which was especially helpful as a first-time volunteer. Reading through their messages reminded me that Service Members experience the same hardships as we do, including loss, family milestones, and difficult times. However, they do not always have the opportunity to process these moments as we might. A deployed Service Member may not be able to take time off to grieve the loss of a loved one, or a Service Member who has just welcomed a new baby may still have to leave for a deployment. Knowing this made my efforts feel even more meaningful, as a simple card could serve as a small but powerful reminder that they are not alone and that people recognize and appreciate their sacrifices. 

Why You Should get Involved

For anyone considering volunteering, my advice is simple: take the first step. You may start unsure, but you’ll finish with a full heart and a newfound appreciation for the difference you can make. No matter how small the effort may seem, your contribution has the power to brighten someone’s day, reminding them they are not alone. Get involved here!  

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