I’ve driven through South Wheeling hundreds or more times, but only recently really took notice of the American flags neatly lining some of the homes and storefronts on Jacob Street. Who does that?

A drive through Elm Grove and I am greeted by a large welcome sign with lovely flowers planted around it in the summertime and fun Christmas decorations at the site in December. Who plants those flowers?

On parts of an Ohio County country road, there are neatly stacked garbage bags filled with trash collected from the roadside where some people believe it’s OK to leave behind the remains of their fried chicken dinners and pizza boxes. Someone picked up the trash, but who made the effort? Somehow veterans buried in our local cemeteries receive the honor and respect they deserve when small, American flags are placed at their gravesites each year. Who is so thoughtful?

Walking into church on Easter Sunday, polished pews, glorious floral arrangements and clean, crisp white linens on the altar come into view. Who cleans and irons to make that possible?

During the Christmas holidays, red kettles are filled with loose change and dollar bills as bell ringers man the kettles. Who are they?

On cold mornings in January, eggs are cooking as a couple dozen folks wait for breakfast at Catholic Charities’ 18th Street Center. Who is working the skillets? By now you might understand where I’m going with all these questions. None of the above-mentioned things would be possible without volunteers. These are the people who sacrifice their time, money and God-given talents to do good in their communities.

We’ve known them over the years as the VFW, National Guard, Lions, Rotary and Civitan clubs, the Boy and Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, CEOS groups, Homemakers and Women’s clubs, PTA, 4-H and so on. We knew they would always be there, we could count on them to perform all the tasks I have mentioned.

Yet things are quite different today. More and more of these groups are struggling to find new members. As the older population that was raised on the creed of helping thy neighbor dies off, so does the number of people willing to give of their free time in these endeavors.

I’m not sure why the younger generation fails to engage in volunteerism at the same rate as their parents and grandparents, but it’s worrisome for many groups even here in the local area. I hear it every day how “I don’t have time … I have better things to do.”

I don’t know anything more rewarding than knowing you made a difference in someone’s life when you scrambled some eggs to feed others or knitted blankets for drug-addicted newborns.

Who does that? You do if you just give it a try.

Heather Ziegler can be contacted via email at: hziegler@theintelligencer.net.