文章讲述了作者为孩子长曲棍球俱乐部招募志愿者时，一位不情愿的家长最终加入并成为团队重要成员，进而探讨做志愿者的意义以及动机问题。
“You can use me as a last resort(选择), and if nobody else volunteers，then I will do it.” This was an actual reply from a parent after I put out a request for volunteers for my kids lacrosse(长曲棍球)club.
“你可以把我当作最后的选择，要是没有其他人自愿，那我就来做。”在我为孩子们的长曲棍球俱乐部发出招募志愿者的请求后，这是一位家长给出的实际回复。
I guess that there's probably some demanding work schedule, or social anxiety around stepping up to help for an unknown sport. She may just need a little persuading. So I try again and tug at the heartstrings. I mention the single parent with four kids running the show and I talk about the dad coaching a team that his kids aren’t even on … At this point the unwilling parent speaks up,“All right. Yes, I’ll do it.”
我猜想，也许是工作安排太紧张，或者是对参与一项陌生运动心存社交焦虑。她可能只是需要一点劝说。于是我又试了一次，试图打动她。我提到有位单亲家长带着四个孩子操持一切，还说起有位父亲执教一支自己孩子都不在的队伍……这时，这位不情愿的家长开口了：“好吧。行，我来做。”
I’m secretly relieved because I know there’s real power in sharing volunteer responsibilities among many. The unwilling parent organizes the meal schedule, sends out emails, and collects money for end-of-season gifts. Somewhere along the way, the same parent ends up becoming an invaluable member of the team. The coach is able to focus on the kids while the other parents are relieved to be off the hook for another season. Handing out sliced oranges to bloodthirsty kids can be as exciting as watching your own kid score a goal.
我心里暗暗松了口气，因为我知道在众多人之间分担志愿工作确实很有力量。这位不情愿的家长负责安排用餐时间表、发送电子邮件，还为赛季末的礼物筹集资金。在这个过程中，这位家长最终成了团队中不可或缺的一员。教练能够专注于孩子们，而其他家长也因这一赛季不用再操心而如释重负。给那些渴望的孩子分发切好的橙子，其乐趣不亚于看自己孩子进球得分。
Still, most of us volunteers breathe a sigh of relief when the season comes to a close. That relief is coupled with a deep understanding of why the same people keep coming back for more: Connecting to the community(社区) as you freely give your time, money, skills, or services provides a real joy. Volunteering just feels so good.
尽管如此，当赛季结束时，我们大多数志愿者都会长舒一口气。这种如释重负之感，伴随着对为什么同样的人总是不断回来参与的深刻理解：当你自由地贡献自己的时间、金钱、技能或服务，与社区建立联系时，会带来真正的快乐。做志愿者的感觉实在太好了。
In that sense, I’m pretty sure volunteering is more of a selfish act than I’d freely like to admit. However, if others benefit in the process, and I get some reward too, does it really matter where my motivation lies?
从这个意义上说，我相当确定做志愿者比我愿意坦然承认的更像是一种自私的行为。然而，如果在这个过程中其他人也能受益，而我也能得到一些回报，那么我的动机究竟在哪里真的重要吗？
一、重点词汇
1. volunteer /ˌvɒlənˈtɪə(r)/ n. 志愿者；v. 自愿做
2. actual /ˈæktʃuəl/ adj. 实际的，真实的
3. reply /rɪˈplaɪ/ n. 回复，回答
4. request /rɪˈkwest/ n./v. 请求，要求
5. demanding /dɪˈmɑːndɪŋ/ adj. 要求高的，费力的
6. schedule /ˈʃedjuːl/ n. 时间表，日程安排
7. anxiety /æŋˈzaɪəti/ n. 焦虑，担心
8. persuade /pəˈsweɪd/ v. 劝说，说服
9. tug /tʌɡ/ v. 用力拉，拽
10. single /ˈsɪŋɡl/ adj. 单一的，单个的；n. 单身者
11. coach /kəʊtʃ/ v. 指导，训练；n. 教练
12. unwilling /ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ/ adj. 不情愿的，不愿意的
13. organize /ˈɔːɡənaɪz/ v. 组织，安排
14. collect /kəˈlekt/ v. 收集，筹集
15. invaluable /ɪnˈvæljuəbl/ adj. 极宝贵的，无价的
16. relief /rɪˈliːf/ n. 宽慰，轻松；解脱
17. motivation /ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃn/ n. 动机，动力
二、重点短语与固定搭配
1. put out a request 发出请求
2. as a last resort 作为最后的选择
3. along the way 在过程中
4. end up doing sth. 最终做某事
5. breathe a sigh of relief 如释重负地松了口气
6. keep coming back for more 不断回来获取更多
7. give one's time 贡献某人的时间
8. in that sense 从那个意义上说
9. benefit in the process 在过程中受益
10. lie in 存在于
11. be off the hook 摆脱困境，脱身
12. free of charge 免费
13. step up 走近，上前；增加，提高
14. focus on 集中（注意力、精力等）于
15. tug at the heartstrings 打动内心；触动心弦
16. run the show 主持大局；打理事务
17. speak up 开口说话；表明意见
18. share responsibilities 分担职责
19. hand out 分发；派发
20. score a goal 进球；得分
21. come to a close 结束；落幕
22. be coupled with 与…… 相伴；结合
