Importance of Volunteering

“Not everything that counts can be counted. And not everything that can be counted, counts.”

– Albert Einstein

National Volunteer Week is a yearly week of recognition for the many, many people in the U.S. and Canada who give generously of their time and resources to a huge variety of causes. The 2017 National Volunteer Week begins on Sunday, April 23rd and ends on Saturday, April 29th. This week is used to bring awareness to the benefits of volunteering and to encourage more people to donate their time to a local, national, or global cause.

With National Volunteering Week approaching, it is essential for us to understand why volunteering is important. Volunteering is important for numerous reasons that benefit both the community and the volunteer themselves. When someone donates a handful of time, the difference made is tremendous and it shapes a community for the better while the experience improves the person who donated the time. Volunteering is about giving, contributing, and helping other individuals and the community at large. It is working with others to make a meaningful contribution to a better community.

People volunteer for an endless variety of reasons. Many people want to gain experience, acquire new skills, meet new people, or expand their network of contacts as a way to get a new job or start a career. Others just want to give back to their community, to help a friend or promote a worthwhile activity. They do it because it makes them feel good.

Volunteers contribute to the overall health and well-being of communities around the world. Organizations rely on volunteers because they almost never have sufficient resources to hire enough staff to support their programs. A robust volunteer program also adds legitimacy to an organization and demonstrates community support for their work.

Some examples of volunteer work include:

· Delivering meals to homebound seniors, manning the phone lines at domestic violence centers and serving in the volunteer fire department.

· Keeping neighborhood parks and waterways clean and safe for everyone.

· Tutoring or mentoring youth on everything from homework to soccer skills.

· Walking dogs, cleaning cages and helping with adoptions and feedings at animal shelters.

· Responding to natural disasters.

· Ensuring that museums and cultural festivals run smoothly by taking tickets, leading tours and staffing information booths.

Volunteering is an excellent way to learn more about a particular profession or issue. It also allows you to network with people in your community. And finally, volunteering can be a fun, meaningful way to make new friends. The possibilities of volunteering are endless.

Volunteering not only works for those receiving help but also those who do different kinds of volunteering acts.

Why Is Volunteering Important?

there are many reasons why it is beneficial to all concerned.

Firstly, when we volunteer our time for a good cause; the rewards we reap are far greater than any promotion we could get from work; or good grades we get from school.

People who volunteer can’t help but feel just a little bit more positive about life. When we see the dire straits of others; we feel lucky and blessed to have a better life.

Another reason why volunteering is important is that we imbibe in others the spirit of generosity – of giving back to others; even strangers, all the good things we have received in life. It’s paying it forward.

Volunteering importance lies in showing those who need help that the world is still a beautiful place to live in. It’s validating that no matter what kind of tragedy strikes; there would always be a silver lining to every rain cloud.

Volunteering also gives hope to those who may have lost all hope to live; who may have lost their trust on humanity. We may even be instrumental in inspiring others to pick up their lives and start over; and perhaps also inspire others to volunteer their time, talent and resources.

Volunteering is a positive chain that goes around making the world a happier place for everyone.

~Monretta Vega, LPC

Monretta Vega, LPC

Email: monretta@hsvpcs.com