DIfferent Work

This week we had the opportunity to volunteer at different places than our usual jobs. The job I had on Sunday actually needed help - it felt great to be needed. A community center was having a special Pesach program for kindergarten classes. There were about 7 classes there with about 30 kids per class and the community center only had 3 staff members. The kindergarten classes each had a Ganenet and another person, but we volunteers were needed. I worked in the Gymboree section - the kids rolled around on mats and climbed on blocks. They jumped into the ball pit and raced around the room. I watched the kids to make sure they were safe and exerted a lot of energy playing with them. I enjoyed tickling the kids, making funny faces at them, and just watching them smile with each other. It reminded me of camp and made me realize how much ruach I will need for this summer - playing with active kids all day long is really hard work. At the end of the day the staff rewarded the volunteers with pizza. I took a bite out of a fresh piece of pizza and felt completely satisfied; I was no longer hungry and although I hadn't completed a "selfless" good deed, I knew that I had helped my community.

By the way - Why do people search for selfless good deeds? Why not gain something from committing a good deed?