With the leaves changing colors and turkey decorations filling every shop window, it is no surprise that the Holiday season is rapidly approaching. Tis the season to be merry, tis the season to eat so much turkey we can barely move and tis the season to give back to those less fortunate.

During Thanksgiving, many of us sit around the table and talk about what we’re thankful for: our family, friends, our new iphone and four weeks of no school. But during these happy times, it becomes very hard to make ourselves think about those who don’t have as much to be thankful for (like maybe those schools that only have a three week long Christmas break?). Now, in all our merriness, is the perfect time to do unto others and start volunteering.

Friends of the Animal Shelter, a non-profit organization housed through the St. Joseph Animal Shelter, is a favorite volunteer place for Missouri Western students. 40 volunteers work in a variety of ways at the shelter, including animal caretaking, walking, bathing, grooming, socializing, office support and public relations or promoting the shelter.

To get started, volunteers, who must be 18 or older, are required to fill out an application form. Once selected, volunteers pick their own hours and the amount of time they wish to dedicate to the shelter. Lucinda Kerns, head of the volunteer contacts, says that they only ask the volunteers for commitment, consistency and a kind heart to the animals.

“It also helps the workers to share the work load,” Kerns said.

According to many volunteers, the hardest part of the job is to see the cruel conditions many animals are brought in under.

Missouri Western student and shelter volunteer Holly

Richardson has been volunteering at the shelter for 10 months now.

“I have the opportunity to help animals find homes and help people find companions,” Richardson said. “It is very rewarding to know that you helped a dog or cat get adopted that may have otherwise been put down.”

Richardson also thinks volunteering is a great idea for students who like animals but don’t have the time or financies to have their own pet.

“With volunteering, you can still make a difference in an animal’s life without making that long-term commitment that a cat or dog is,” Richardson said.

Not only do these volunteers walk away from their experience with a newly enlightened view on abuse, and the kindness of people, they bring hope to the shelter and shelter employees as well.

“It genuinely makes you feel good inside to see these animals get a second chance,” Kerns said. “And I think it helps the employees to share that experience with our volunteers.”

So the main question here, although the answer seems obvious to most, is why should people volunteer? Why take time out of a busy day to help others when many would be perfectly content sitting on the couch watching Dancing with the Stars or downloading new applications for their iphone?

The truth is plain and simple: if you don’t help, and your neighbor doesn’t help, and the next person doesn’t, who will?