This is National Volunteer Month in the United States. Volunteers rarely have the time to beat their own drums, as they stay so busy coaching, fundraising, picking up trash, and doing other valuable things to make life easier.

Our community is blessed with volunteers whose interests span the alphabet. We take this opportunity to say “thank you” on behalf of all the people whose lives you improve.

Below is an unscientific list of many of the interests that volunteers address. We don’t want to call out groups by name, for fear of omission; and we also know this list is far from complete.

Some organizations exist to help the community at large. Their donations and their efforts span the alphabet. Here is a look at the spectrum of categories in which our neighbors are busying themselves, and enriching us:

Addiction support groups • Animal welfare • Antique vehicles • Arts (theater, music, visual) • Athletic boosters;

Beautification • Bird counts • Boater education • Boater ...