Many, if not most, of us are feeling the effects of our hurting economy. We are short on our budgets, finding our retirements lighter, losing our jobs, and watching costs rise. While we are feeling the pinch of bad times, so are our favorite museums and historic sites. Many sites are getting hit hard with lower attendance, cut government funding, and endowments significantly decreased. Some are finding it necessary to let some dedicated staff go, pull back on programming and post pone improvements. We all would love to support these important institutions, but simply can not give all the money we would like to due to our own hardships. While we may not have the money to give, we do have time. Volunteering costs only time, the gas to get to the site and possibly a lunch packed at home.
Museums and historic sites will have an increasing range of needs as they find it necessary to tighten their budgets. Some will need help in the office with mailings or fliers. Some will need help on the grounds gardening, cleaning up or painting. Some will need help with staffing events and programming. The volunteer opportunities at most sites are endless.
If you previously donated money to a historic site or museum but can not budget it this year make up for it by donating time.
If you are still able to donated money, add to your donation by offering your volunteer time as well.
If you attend an event at a museum or historic site, offer your time to show your support of their programming.
If you already volunteer, donate more of your time to increase your support.
If you regularly volunteer, ask a friend to join you in donating their time.
If you have never volunteered before, call the museum or historic site’s volunteer coordinator or human resources director to offer them your time.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
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