Our country used to run on volunteers and, in many ways, still does.

We live in a particularly friendly area of the country, and many of us go out of our way to help others. Because my husband, Jim, and I live in a rural area, we still have volunteer fire departments — such a needed service, and a huge thank you to all the men and women who serve when there is an emergency.

There are many ways to volunteer in our lovely town. For instance, our churches certainly need our help. From teaching Sunday school, working in the nursery and singing in the choir, to cleaning up the grounds and buildings, there is a task for anyone who would like to volunteer.

Your children's school can also use volunteers. Ask at the office what you can do to help — perhaps raise funds for needed equipment, or help with field trips.

One way to really make a difference is to visit the elderly in our nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. Many of these people are lonely and would love some company. Their families usually work and may even live quite a distance away, so they need friendly interaction. This is rewarding, as you gain new friends and they get to have social contact.

Our youths always need volunteers, from Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, to youth sports teams. Adults are needed to keep these activities viable. Many churches have youth club organizations that also need adult volunteers.

Perhaps you have older neighbors who could use some help. Offer to take them grocery shopping and then carry in and put away their groceries. Some may need transportation to doctor's appointments. Many need help with yard work — offer to mow their grass and hedge, paint their shutters, and take their trash barrel to the curb.

There are so many ways that we as neighbors can help each other.

While I was in the hospital, we had neighbors who kept our lawn mowed and took good care of our pets. What fabulous people they are! And they were very needed during my health crisis.

Don't wait for a crisis to offer your help. There are many areas in which to serve — just be aware that some volunteer positions will require a background check.

Find someplace to volunteer and make a difference!

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Volunteering opportunities abound in Crestview

To be successful at investing, some people think they need to "get in on the ground floor" of the next "big thing."

However, instead of waiting for that one "hot" stock that may never come along, consider creating an asset allocation — a mix of investments — that's appropriate for your needs, goals and risk tolerance.

But once you have such a mix, should you keep it intact forever, or will you need to make some changes? And if so, when?

To begin with, why is asset allocation important?

Different types of investments — growth stocks, income-producing stocks, international stocks, bonds, government securities, real estate investment trusts, and so on — have unique characteristics, so they rarely rise or fall at the same time.

Thus, owning a mix of investments can help reduce the forces of market volatility. (Keep in mind, though, that allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.) Your particular mix will depend on your investment time horizon, comfort with risk, and financial goals.

When you are young, and starting out in your career, you may want your asset allocation to be more heavily weighted toward stocks and stock-based investments. Stock investments historically have provided the greatest returns over the long term — although, as you've probably heard, past performance can't guarantee future results — and you will need this growth potential to help achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

Stocks also carry a greater degree of investment risk, including the risk of losing principal, but when you have many years to invest, you have time to potentially overcome the inevitable short-term declines.

Once you reach the middle-to-later stages of your career, you may have achieved some of your goals that required wealth accumulation, such as sending your children to college. However, what is likely your biggest long-term goal — retirement — still awaits you, so you may not want to scale back too much on your stocks and other growth-oriented investments.

Nonetheless, including an allocation to bonds can help to reduce some of the volatility of the stock portion of your portfolio.

Now, fast forward to just a few years before you retire. At this point, you may want to lower your overall risk level, because, with retirement looming, you don't have much time to bounce back from downturns — and you don't want to start withdrawing from your retirement accounts when your portfolio is already going down.

So, now may be the time to add bonds and other fixed-income investments. Again, though, you still need some growth opportunities from your investment — after all, you could be retired for two, or even three decades.

Finally, you're retired. At this point, you should adjust your asset allocation to include enough income-producing investments — bonds, certificates of deposit, perhaps dividend-paying stocks — to help you enjoy the retirement lifestyle you've envisioned.

Yet, you can't forget that the cost of living will likely rise throughout your retirement. In fact, at a modest 3 percent inflation rate, the price of goods will more than double after 25 years. So even during retirement, you need your portfolio to provide some growth potential to help you avoid losing purchasing power.

By being aware of your asset allocation, and by making timely adjustments as necessary, you can provide yourself with the opportunities for growth and income that you will need throughout your life.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Should you change your investment mix over time?

4-H, the world’s largest youth organization, began over 100 years ago and has served many youths in its time. 

The program is part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Department at the University of Florida Land Grant Institution. 

All 67 counties in Florida, and Eglin and Hurlburt Air Force bases’ youth centers, have 4-H programs, which also offer many opportunities for adults, parents, teens.

Youths can participate in fun educational programs such as summer camp, the county fair, school enrichment opportunities, county and district events, club meetings, and many more. 

4-H focuses on teaching youths:

•Agriculture

•Life skills

•Citizenship

•Science, technology, engineering and mathematics

•Diversity

•Teamwork

•Leadership skills

•Responsibility

The UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program mission is “use a learn-by-doing approach to help (youths) gain the knowledge and skills they need to be responsible, productive citizens.

“This mission is accomplished by creating safe and inclusive learning environments, involving caring adults, and utilizing the expertise and resources of the University of Florida and the nationwide land grant university system.”

Please contact the Okaloosa County Extension Office, 689-5850, for more information on 4-H programs.

Misty Smith is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SMITH: 4-H prepares kids to be responsible, productive citizens