There Are Real Benefits To Being A Volunteer  Volunteers are people from all walks of life. What they all have in common is the desire to make a difference by giving their time to a worthy cause. Volunteering can do many things besides helping an organization in need. Research has shown that there are clear benefits of being a volunteer. Some of the noted benefits are: Build your self confidence Renew your spirit Meet new friends Gain purpose in your life Improve your health Boost your career options Have fun  AWF Volunteer Opportunities  We have no paid staff, so we are always in need of volunteers. AWF is still in existence today due to our dedicated volunteers and we're always looking to add to that list. Whether you want to help once a year or every week, we have a job for you! Take digital photos of dogs Provide foster care Make flyers Distribute flyers Help organize or work fund-raising events Post information on our web sites Research additional fund-raising opportunities Transport dogs Answer phone and/or e-mail inquiries Conduct pending adoption activities  Interested in joining our team as a Volunteer or Foster Care Provider?  Please fill out the appropriate form below and return by email or via US Mail to: Animal Welfare Foundation 2512 Davenport Avenue Oxford Junction, IA 52323 Volunteer Questionnaire Foster Application   In Dedication To Animal Rescue Volunteers      Famous Quotes    "All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own." --Anonymous "A candle loses nothing of its light when lighting another." --Kahlil Gibran "Volunteers don't necessarily have the time, but they have the heart." --Anonymous "One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something." --Henry David Thoreau "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." --Winston Churchill "The gift of time is priceless." --Unknown        Prayer Of A Stray - Author Bev Davenport Copyright © 1986 Bev Davenport. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Dear God please send me someone who'll care! I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair My body is aching, it's so racked with pain And dear God I pray as I run in the rain That someone will love me and give me a home A warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone My last owner tied me all day in the yard Sometimes with no water and God that was hard! So I chewed my leash God; and I ran away To rummage in garbage; and live as a stray But now God I'm tired; and hungry and cold And I'm Oh so afraid; that I'll never grow old They've chased me with sticks; hit me with stones While I run the streets; just looking for bones I'm not really bad God; please help if you can For I have become just another; "victim of man!" I'm wormy dear God; and I'm ridden with fleas and all that I ever wanted; was an owner to please If you find one for me God; I'll try to be good I won't chew their shoes; and I'll do as I should I'll love them; protect them; and try to obey When they tell me to sit; to lie down or to stay! I don't think I'll make it; too long on my own Cause I'm getting so weak; and I'm Oh so alone Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry Cause I'm so afraid God; that I'm gonna die I've got so much love; and devotion to give That I should be given; a new chance to live So dear God please; oh please; answer my prayer and send me to somebody; who will really care That is dear God; if You're really there!        To My Foster Family - Author Unknown There I sat, alone and afraid, You got a call and came right to my aid. You bundled me up with blankets and love. And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug. I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold. That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold. You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend. You loved me and healed me and became my first friend. And just when I thought you'd done all you do, There came along not one new lesson, but two. First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go. I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know." Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss. Along came a new family, they even have kids! They took me to their home, forever to stay. At first I thought you sent me away. Then that second lesson became perfectly clear. No matter how far, you will always be near. And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on. I have a new home, with toys and a lawn. But I'll never forget what I learned that first day. You never really give your fosters away. You gave me these thoughts to remember you by. We may never meet again, and now I know why. You'll remember I lived with you for a time. I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.