“He who does nothing for others does nothing for himself” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Inside each and every one of us is the ability to reach out and help others. It is truly the tie that binds us as a community, state, nation and world.

You need not look far to find opportunities to make a difference, be it in the life of a child, the elderly, the sick or poor. All it requires is placing society above self and taking voluntary action while expecting nothing in return.

Today is the first day of National Volunteer Week, a time when all citizens are called to action for the betterment of their community.

In her Volunteer Week proclamation, Gov. Beverly Perdue cited the “positive changes through volunteer action, regardless of how big or small” and the “ordinary people who can do extraordinary things in North Carolina.”

Locally, volunteers can make a big difference everywhere. Here are a few suggestions:

• American Red Cross
• Beaufort County Developmental Center
• Eagle’s Wings
• Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center
• Habitat for Humanity
• The Humane Society
• Literacy Volunteers of Beaufort County
• Pamlico Pals
• Purpose of God Annex
• Salvation Army
• Vidant Beaufort Hospital
• The Zion Shelter

If you are not sure where to get started, visit the United Way of Beaufort County website at www.unitedwaybc.net.

John Wesley, the 18th century Anglican evangelist, had a simple rule:

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

Do something for yourself this week by doing something for others — volunteer.