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Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul: Stories to Celebrate the Spirit of Courage, Caring and Community
Deep within each one of us lies the ability to step up and care for those in need, even though we often feel overwhelmed by a complex world. In fact, more than 200 million people throughout the world offer their time and love to volunteering. The stories in Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul highlight the efforts of everyday people in the United States and around the globe who volunteer with the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, the Peace Corps, Points of Light, Rotary and many, many other nonprofit organizations. Lovingly chosen from more than six thousand stories, poems and cartoons, these tales will inspire readers to do everything in their power to help those in need. Chapters The Rewards of Volunteering, Giving Back, Making a Difference, New Appreciation, Love and Kindness, Defining Moments, A Matter of Perspective, Overcoming Obstacles and On Wisdom. Readers will cherish the story of a community that rallied together to send warm winter coats to refugee families in Kosovo. They'll be moved by the tale of a woman with a "smiley voice" who made audiotapes for the visually impaired despite a losing battle with cancer. They'll never forget the eight-year-old boy without arms or legs who fearlessly wielded a tennis racquet to propel a ball down the length of a room. And they'll be charmed by a rabbit named Cadberi who brings boundless joy to residents of a nursing home.
363 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
16 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Jack Canfield
1,286 books1,748 followersJack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 25, 2013
Chicken Soup For The Volunteer's Soul is a collection of short touching, uplifting and inspirational accounts of volunteers serving in a variety of organizations. I especially liked the one about the old lady in the nursing home who was depressed because she couldn’t see her grandchildren but cheered up when a kid came to visit her who reminded him of her grandson. He appreciated her because he she was like a grandmother that he didn’t have. Another favorite of mine was the busy lawyer who took time out of her day to visit an animal shelter and helped find a home for a mother cat before all her kittens got adopted! She was one determined lady! There are many good stories about all different volunteers. It is an easy book to read a little at a time; I enjoyed it! Read it and I bet you will feel like volunteering!
(Karen's review)
(Karen's review)
May 4, 2021
"Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul"
by Jack Canfield
This book is an interesting compilation of heart-felt stories of volunteers and how their service made others feel, but have also contributed to their own happiness. I have been actively volunteering since I was a teenager and over the past few years, I've been working as a volunteer full-time and find that, although it's hard work, it's very satisfying. These are some good stories about other volunteers in this book. I liked the Vietnamese orphan kids story and the ones where volunteers visit the elderly and develop sweet friendships with them before they pass away.
by Jack Canfield
This book is an interesting compilation of heart-felt stories of volunteers and how their service made others feel, but have also contributed to their own happiness. I have been actively volunteering since I was a teenager and over the past few years, I've been working as a volunteer full-time and find that, although it's hard work, it's very satisfying. These are some good stories about other volunteers in this book. I liked the Vietnamese orphan kids story and the ones where volunteers visit the elderly and develop sweet friendships with them before they pass away.
December 31, 2020
I love the Chicken Soup books! There were a ton of stories that all have a valuable message. As usual, and perhaps more so because it's all about volunteering, these stories were so heartrending and emotional. Although they didn't all have happy endings, it was still uplifting to "look for the helpers" as Mr. Rogers would say, and to remember and focus on the good in people.
November 10, 2017
another great book from the amazing series! heartwarming stories!
October 17, 2014
As with most of the Chicken Soup books I've read, I found the stories in here warming and many brought a smile to my face. In particular, this one reminded me of the time I spent as a teenager volunteering at our local hospital, as well as shorter times of service at a rehab hospital/nursing home and various college projects. A full-time job and family demands have robbed me of the time I once devoted to my volunteering, though that full-time job is in the same hospital network where I spent much of my time, even then knowing I would seek a job at the 'big' hospital across town. Many of the participants in these stories shared the common mindset as I did of wanting to matter to someone, regardless of how small the impact was or whether it mattered to one or many. Of course, the hospital and other medical volunteers were the ones I could relate to most of all, but I honestly enjoyed them all.
May 22, 2010
What I like about these books is they are easy to read. The vignettes are short and often seriously heartwarming. This book, about volunteering, had a bit too much God for me. Many volunteer opportunities do come through Church missions, youth groups etc. but though many talked about how eye opening the trip/event/continued service was, it was all about how God opened their eyes. Nothing wrong, just didn't do it for me. What was done well was the ability to find out more about the various volunteer organizations and the realization that one person can make a difference.
September 6, 2013
As in all Chicken Soup for the Soul books, these stories were heartwarming, eye opening, and thought provoking. I was very impressed that they listed very specific and clear ways a person can contact the organization described in each story, to get information to volunteer also.
These books can be used as a nice afternoon reading, or to change your life or someone else's as well.
These books can be used as a nice afternoon reading, or to change your life or someone else's as well.
June 11, 2013
Once I got over the cottage industry that this book series has become ("Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II" to "Chicken Soup for the Owners of 3-legged cocker spaniels that also play Monopoly"), I found the stories interesting, heart warming and challenging me to become more involved.
March 21, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this book and it reminded me of all the reasons why I enjoy volunteering!
March 28, 2013
LOVED it!
January 19, 2016
Very good book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews