Like many people, I have become disheartened by the hateful rhetoric and polarization in our country that has grown into an ongoing story in the evening news.

I have been especially saddened this fall by violence and cruel behavior perpetrated by the powerful to retain power.  Key leaders have made it their mission to incite people, quick to blame others for their grievances, to act on their worst impulses.

In this great experiment in democracy that we are as a country, I have been surprised and outraged by blatant policies of voter suppression.

From past experiences trying to overcome discouragement, I recognized the best thing to do was VOLUNTEER for something I believed in.

Just when I felt our democracy was going to the dogs, I discovered DOGS FOR DEMOCRACY

I came across an opportunity to work at a phone bank for Lauren Underwood, a congressional candidate, registered nurse and pro-affordable healthcare, first-time candidate competing in a mostly conservative, extremely gerrymandered suburban district.

I really liked what she stood for.  I liked the idea that she was willing to bring her practical expertise to support her community in a new role.  The phone bank itself, organized by a pro-choice organization, was near my home.

I also liked that volunteers were coming together along a fun but deep identification. Sitting in a room, trying to reach people who would actually be open to talk for 30-seconds, seemed like a more uplifting activity when I knew I’d be doing this with other pooch lovers and a few dogs at my feet.

I contemplated taking India but was unsure how she would behave in this environment.  Still, I got to enjoy canine companionship while dialing.

When I walked into the given storefront address, the organizer and Marie, another volunteer, greeted me.  She had her dog, Coco, decked out in red, white, and blue right next to her.  Later in the evening, two other dogs joined us.

Talk about diversity! Our group included: a retired man, a septuagenarian, a veteran of other political campaigns; a few other older women who bantered about plans to canvas for other progressive candidates over the weekend; several twenty-something year-old women who went a long way to restore my hope in millennials; and a young couple.

The wife was of pale complexion and looked to be of Irish lineage. Her husband was a dark-skinned man. He turned out to be from Gujarat, India and wasn’t even able to vote. He was great on the phone presenting Lauren Underwood’s talking points and engaging undecideds in conversation.

All the callers kept their focus on dialing and only took occasional petting breaks.  Coco and Taco and the other dog whose name I can’t remember behaved.  Pizza was shared along with leftover Halloween candy.

I came home in a very good mood.

Even if an action is small and time is limited, volunteering for something you care about makes you feel empowered.  Participating in Dogs for Democracy made me feel that I’m not helpless, that I am actually doing something about an area of life that matters to me.

Volunteering for something you care about brings you in touch with your tribe, people who share the same values.

Volunteering makes you feel appreciated. If you’re offering free legal advice or bookkeeping because it is your area of expertise, it tells you that your talents are needed.

If you are offering services that require no expertise, it’s a great opportunity to experience SURRENDER. For a limited amount of time, you are giving up owning the result of your time, following someone else’s direction on what needs to be done (and how), and do your best anyway.

Volunteering is a great way to feel community – in a larger sense.  Not only does volunteering bring you together with people with whom you share values, in volunteering, you can also experience belonging to the community of mankind.

People need each other.  When you help someone through a difficult time, or pitch in to promote a politician that champions interests beyond your own, it can re-build your hope that strangers will come forward and provide the kind of help you might need at an important time.

Having opportunities to support a progressive candidate or pitching in to help people after a natural disaster reminds me that I can make a positive difference, and that’s no small thing.