My children have been “volun-told” what to do their whole life. Service is my love language. Because I saw the valuable lessons and treasured teachable moments found through selfless service, I wanted to instill the love in my children as well.

My good friend, Emily Callaway, has served for two years as our volunteer coordinator at the THSC Conventions and also served with our Annual Gala and Fundraiser. However, our friendship began long before her work with THSC. It began in our community, serving together. We have become forever friends. Please read her story below and be inspired to find a place within your community to volunteer. You may find a forever friend in the process! [bctt tweet=”#ForeverFriendships begin in community, serving together. #THSCConvention”]

Volunteering at THSC

Emily Callaway

Around our home there is never a shortage of opportunities to add to our schedule, so we really have to consider and pray about what would be quality experiences that fit with the goals of our family. We know if we pile on too many clubs, sports, co-ops, small groups, outings, or serving commitments, our family time is gone. We end up being five individuals scrambling to do “our things,” and I am the momma never really involved with the moments at hand because I am always looking for what needs to be prepared for the next “event.”

That being said, one place in which we have found great value is volunteering with the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC). From our very first encounters with THSC, it was clear that this was an organization with values and vision we could support and back whole heartedly! As our oldest daughter was 14, we were looking for a couple of opportunities for her to volunteer with us as a family. We knew that volunteering would give her valuable experience for a few different reasons:

Four teachable moments from volunteering:

1. Listening to other adults for instructions
2. Working with different people
3. Giving back to an organization keeping her home school freedoms
4. Adding a quality activity to include on a high school transcript

After her volunteer experience, we added the following benefits . . .

Five blessings of volunteering:

1. Stretching her activities out of her comfort zone in a safe place
2. Getting encouragement from other adults
3. Meeting forever friends to look forward to seeing at other home school events
4. Gaining a sense of pride in serving a worthwhile organization
5. Feeling valued

As spring is upon us, our family is again planning for what this season holds . . . baseball games, track meets, co-ops, and church activities. We have chosen many activities to be a part of our lives for various reasons, and we know others will arise in the coming months. Even so, our days to volunteer at the THSC Convention are already marked down, and we are signed up! With big sister excited about volunteering, the younger brothers are counting the years until they, too, are old enough to be a “volunteer” with THSC.

My husband and I rest in knowing our volunteering helps a morally responsible organization fight daily for our freedoms as home schoolers, and our children look forward to giving in a place where they are appreciated and have fun life-enhancing experiences!

Remember, if you are looking for a way to incorporate a time of service into your home school, volunteer at Convention and receive a $25 discount for every four-hour shift. Use your discount to purchase tickets for Encouragement by Chocolate, the Teen Staff Program, Kids Convention, and more!

Join us by volunteering at one or both of the THSC Conventions this year and start your own tradition of service. We look forward to seeing you there!  Learn more about ways you can volunteer for the Arlington Convention or The Woodlands Convention today!