I knew I wanted to do something to help with Barack Obama's campaign. I feel very strongly that he will turn this country around, and I have been very discouraged with the way this country has been run the past 8 years. I wasn't really sure what I could do, but I knew I had to do something. It's getting down to the wire now, and if he were to lose I would always have that feeling in the back of my mind, "If I only would have helped out or volunteered..."

A few weeks back a very nice Obama supporter called our house to see if we had his support. I told her my husband and I were both supporters, and she then let us know a campaign headquarters had opened very near to our house, and would we like to volunteer. OK now I had my chance! So I told her yes, we both would love to do something.

My husband made phone calls for the first time last night, and I knew he was a little nervous (he's not really a people person). He was calling to let people know that early voting is available in our state (check to see if it's in yours at the Obama website). He said after the first few calls, it was much easier. He said people are for the most part were pleasant (no matter who they were voting for).

There are other ways of volunteering besides making phone calls. You can do what is called "canvasing" which is going with a group door to door. You can help out at the office, and my husband is even doing data entry. So if you are not crazy about talking to people, that might be up your alley. My husband was also struck by the generousity of people - an older couple came into the offices and donated a brand new mini fridge to keep the drinks cold. Another man came in and delivered baked goods and yet another brought in some drinks. Lunch is being donated for us on Saturday. So you can volunteer in this way, too.

This weekend is our wedding anniversary, and my husband and I had plans. But when he came home last night, he told me that Saturday morning they are having 120 volunteers bused into the headquarters to do canvasing, and they only have a few drivers to take them to different neighborhoods. We can do dinner and a movie any time, and this is probably the most important election of my life, so on Saturday we will spend the day (in different cars) driving around volunteers to neighborhoods. I am really excited. I can feel the excitement and can't wait to hear other people's stories and why they are here. When I think back about how we spent our 6th wedding anniversary together, I will always be proud of what we did.

Just go to the Obama website below. On the main page to the right, you will see Volunteering, and right under it a box that says Find Events, see what is going on in your neighborhood, you'll be glad you did. It feels wonderful to be swept up in the momentum of what is happening right now!

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php