2 years volunteering, not even a card??

[Workforfree]

I've volunteered for a children's centre for 2 years, 6.5 hours a week to begin with, then 3 hours a week whilst my child was in nursery. I decided to volunteer as it was easier than travelling home after dropping said child off and I was craving adult company. I only volunteered in the office, doing filing, typing, all the menial jobs such as shredding etc. Sometimes there was no work for me, but I was always willing to do any little jobs they had and was crying out for work. I was under the impression I had made some friends there, we would all talk, give advice, listen and so on and as far as I was aware, at times I was quite useful.
Anyway, my AIBU is, I finished my volunteering this week as child is moving up to school and will need to find paid work, they barely even registered it was my last time there, no card, nothing. AIBU to be really hurt by this and think that a card was not that difficult to do?

[RainbowsAndUnicorn]

Volunteers usually do so as they have an interest in the place or want to help the cause.

It suited you not to go home and to stay for a couple of hours, I'd have not expected a card but maybe a thank you.

[Patriciathestripper1]

What a bunch of miserable dicks.
So you made their life easier for 2 years and they couldn't be arsed to buy a card.
Really bad form. Says s lot about them,
Well done for volunteering

[lougle]

Oh that's hard, I'm sorry. It does sound as though you hung around for company and helped out a bit, rather than volunteered in an official capacity, though. Perhaps that's why it wasn't seen as 'leaving'?

[MsMims]

YANBU.

Really mean of them not to at least give a card

[TheMysteriousJackelope]

Do they thank you regularly during the year? I volunteered several hours a week at my DC's school last year, and several hours a month this year setting up and maintaining a wildlife and herb garden for them. My DC have moved up to high school and I did not get a card at the end of the semester. However almost every time I am volunteering one or other of the teachers, and quite often the children, compliment the garden and thank me for being there. I don't want a card, but it is nice to know that people care about the garden and are glad it is there.

[AnUnhappyStudent]

I think that's shitty but unfortunatley common too. I volunteered for 6 months and no thank you at the end of it which did sting a little. But on the plus side I volunteer for another organisation and get thanked all the time. A thank you costs nothing and a card would not have been expecting too much. They do not deserve volunteers.

[Savvyandchips]

Very very mean. A card is the least they could have done. Sorry op xx

[Awks]

That's so crap. Miserable sods, hope they enjoy doing their own shredding from now on.

[Italiangreyhound]

YANBU that is very poor. What a shane.

It does not matter why you volunteered, you still DoD work for nothing for two years.

Well done for making a difference.

[FATEdestiny]

It's pants. I do loads of volunteering and have done for years.

Something that sticks in my mind was a toddler group I ran with 2 friends. We decided to pass the running of the group over to a new team. The other 2 left and I organised gifts and cards. I stayed on to pass over to new group who took over. I finished 2 terms later. No card, no thanks, nothing.

I was asked to help out for holidays several times afterwards. I would have done. But was frankly so annoyed by their lack of gratefulness and thanks that I said no on that basis.

Voluenteer with Girlguiding instead. I am constantly being thanked for the time I give there.

[Workforfree]

I'd get individual thanks if I did work for a particular person, such as typing up their notes for them or doing something specifically for them, I always replied that it was why I was there and always said I'd do the same the next week if needed or anything else they needed. It just feels a bit like a kick in the face and like I wasn't useful. There a cutbacks and so on at the moment, but even a piece of card folded in half or a 29p card from Card Factory - it really was the thought.

[Floggingmolly]

That is crap.

[Workforfree]

It leaves a really bitter taste doesn't it FATE?

[hana32]

YANBU, you deserved a card at the very least!

[SamineShaw]

That is rubbish 😞 we make sure our volunteers get recognition for giving up their time. Please don't let it put you off volunteering in the future (but maybe not for the same place 😉)

[bigbluebus]

I volunteer at a school and I get a card and a gift at the end of every summer term. It was a bit thoughtless of them to not even acknowledge the free help you had given them - even if this had only been a verbal thank you rather than a card. Maybe they thought they were doing you a favour by saving you having to walk home and back again!!

[Aeroflotgirl]

Yes it is crap and mean, no excuse. Even more your a volunteer, and do it for free, sondaved the organisation money.

[Pantryboy]

I am sure you helped out so much . You don't need the physical thanks you know you did a great job they just didn't think to say thank you . It wouldn't have hurt them but I think you must make yourself feel great about the fact you are a good person who acts unselfishly and are a really good egg . Forget them now and concentrate on helping yourself to find a fabulous job . Good luck OP!

[wtffgs]

It is crap. You gave your time for free and saved them work. We had a volunteer at work not long ago - different class - and they treated her like something they'd stepped in

[user1498911589]

I did voluntary work for a children's centre for 3 years, a paid job doing exactly the same thing came up so I applied and didn't get the job but when they told me they asked if I would carry on volunteering - needless to say I declined! Volunteers often get treated like rubbish.

[Glittermakeseverythingbetter]

OP I've just been in a similar situation and put my heart and soul into these people for 3 years and I got absolutely nothing either and it's made me feel so worthless and upset, so I can completely sympathise with you. I am going to buy myself some flowers tomorrow!! Xxx

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Mean fuckers

[Workforfree]

Oh glitter, it's so shit isn't it? Almost as if because you're able to give up your free time you don't matter!

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

So you got no credit for giving up your time for no reward.
That is rather rat.

[DaviesMum]

Bunch of cunts, fuck 'em. It's their loss.