SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE:

Gandhi said: “The way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Several years ago, I helped a local nonprofit organize to help women below the line of poverty and suffering escape cycles of violence and child abuse.

Six years ago, our Center for Spiritual Discovery decided to reach out to local nonprofits and help them cultivate volunteers. We hosted a volunteer expo and called it the “People Helping People Fest.” We invited more than 20 nonprofits to enroll people for a minimum of 12 hours of annual service.

Last year, we had 116 people donate more than 1,400 hours of time estimated to be worth more than $19,000. This year, we want to enroll more than 200 people who donate more than 2,400 hours of time — now valued at $18 per hour — for a total worth of more than $43,000.

But I have a dream! What if we held this event at the Orange County Fair Grounds and had hundreds of nonprofits present their causes and enrolled thousands of people? What if we offered a Saturday-evening concert to those who donated 12 hours of time and paid $25 to see a major star perform, somebody like Bonnie Raitt, the Eagles or Bruce Springsteen? Would you be interested in helping us accomplish this dream? If so, please contact me at [email protected].

This year our “People Helping People Fest” will be from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Costa Mesa Senior Center, 695 W. 19th St. If you donate 12 hours of time, we’ll treat you to lunch and a concert. For more, you can go to www.cmcsd.org, or call us at (714) 754-7399, or e-mail [email protected].

There are about 3 million people in Orange County. What if 10% of them decided to volunteer 12 hours of time? Service is an act of peace that speaks louder than words.

“Imagine all the people, living life in peace.”

JIM TURRELL is the pastor of the Center for Spiritual Discovery in Costa Mesa.