If you want to know what really makes Auburn a town with a heart, look in the soup kitchens, churches, medical facilities and a wide range of youth and service groups.

Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the community. From the Boy Scouts to Camp Fire Girls, CYO to Big Brothers/Big Sisters (Y-Pals), were surrounded by selfless, tireless men and women of all ages who donate time, money, efforts and concern to serve their fellow citizens in a variety of ways.

Weve all seen them: The Hospice volunteer who lovingly helps the terminally-ill patient spend his last days with dignity while offering sympathy and compassion to family and loved ones; the hospital volunteer who shows up with a wheelchair and a smile when its time to go home and helps create a warm and orderly departure; the CYO coach who arrives early and stays late for every practice session and every game, the parents who work the ticket tables and concession stands, the cheerleading coaches and all the moms and dads who make themselves available to help out.

Volunteerism has always been uniquely American. Throughout our history, in good times and bad, through war and peace, prosperity and hardship, the United States has always marshaled large armies of compassionate citizens wholl rush to the scene of a disaster to offer aid and comfort to those in need.

It has been said that morality is only moral when it is voluntary. And in a culture whose morality and sense of decency is disintegrating before our very eyes, it gives one hope for the future to see volunteerism still having a strong impact in our lives. Paid employees in every sphere of society are, of course, necessary and essential to the economy and our families.

But theres something extra special about people who willingly do charity work to support and assist those who need a helping hand. These are the devoted, unflagging workers who are so seldom thanked and so often taken for granted.

So if youve ever marched or jogged or bowled to raise money for a youth group, or if youve ever dipped a ladle into a pot of soup to help feed the hungry, or bought an ad in the program of a dance recital, or have ever given of yourself, voluntarily, to help raise the dignity of even one person, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

May we all follow your example and listen to the still, small voice within calling us out of our comfortable lives to make a difference in the lives of others.

A meaningful life has never, after all, consisted of what we have taken from this world, but in what we have given. And the greatest gift we have to give others is ourselves.

So to the volunteers of Auburn and Cayuga County who do just that everyday ... thank you.

Ducaynes column appears

Tuesdays in The Citizen and

she can be reached at

sacredheart6005@hotmail.com