Katie A. Goroncy Encourages Volunteering Vacations
Katie A. Goroncy explains why volunteering is so important--and how individuals can incorporate their efforts into an enjoyable vacation.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 12, 2012
For many individuals, vacation is an opportunity to relax, unwind, and let the cares of the world slip away if only for a couple of days. But for others, vacation is a wonderful time to take up a cause and fight for it while exploring an exotic new country. The Guardian has published a list of ten volunteering vacations that may appeal to individuals of a more adventurous spirit. Katie A. Goroncy, an avid volunteer and supporter of such work, encourages individuals to consider how they can help others when they go on vacation.Katie A. Goroncy knows firsthand the value of a volunteering vacation. While her experience was not a vacation per se, as she focused more intently on her volunteer work, she knows that helping others in a new location can achieve all the goals of a traditional vacation while allowing an individual to also benefit the world around them. Goroncy spent several months working in Costa Rica and Guatemala as a volunteer. Here, she provided therapeutic services for children with a variety of disabilities. A physical therapist, she was also able to educate caregivers regarding the needs of these children, as well as secure medical device donations and support the work of an orphanage and nutrition center.
"Volunteering my time in Guatemala and Costa Rica is something I will never forget," Goroncy explains. "Yes, I worked hard. But I felt just as rejuvenated and charged when I got back from that 'vacation' as I do from more traditional vacations. The best part? I know that I made a major difference in the lives of those whom I helped, and that made every second of the experience worthwhile."
Goroncy encourages others to read through the ten volunteering vacations that The Guardian recommends and choose one that speaks to their interests. The article provides a long list of potential "vacations," including fighting for lake conservation in Guatemala, supporting the fight for women's rights in Morocco, assisting with rebuilding efforts in the areas of Japan affected by the tsunami, and spending time working for a botanical garden on the Caribbean Islands. Additionally, the article suggests volunteering at a school in India, working in Costa Rica, and rescuing animals in Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest. Finally, the article lists volunteering with kids in Bolivia, contributing to the operations of an organic farm in South America, and championing conservation throughout the United Kingdom.
ABOUT:
Katie A. Goroncy is a physical therapist. She earned both a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. A yoga enthusiast, Katie A. Goroncy is taking the steps to incorporate the healing properties of yoga into her practice. Additionally, she has volunteered her time to assist with the therapies of children in Costa Rica and Guatemala. Today, Katie A. Goroncy is working to continually build her career while creating a positive impact on the world around her.
Website: http://katieagoroncy.org