Volunteering for Change

We sometimes hear people talk about the benefits of volunteering; the perfect way to reach out and touch the lives of others in a positive way. However, I didn’t fully understand the impact of this until I started volunteering myself. In middle school I volunteered at my local senior center, singing and reading to the elders. Today I have moved on to bigger projects, like hosting bone marrow drives and blood drives. Helping others is the greatest gift you can give and it will change your outlook on life, forever. Volunteering is such a fulfilling experience and today more than 60 million people offer their services in some way.(1) However, there are still some people that choose not to be involved. In fact, for most people, their reason is simple: it is just too time-consuming. Why should we spend free time doing things for someone else? Why should we involve ourselves in work that has no financial value? The answer is clear: We should volunteer to support the general welfare of our communities and the world. Volunteering is not just a fulfilling experience - it is a chance for an individual to make a positive difference within their community and within themselves. Research has shown that those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer. Plus, community involvement also looks great on a resume and volunteer positions can be a great form of page 2

on-the-job training. Many skills can be obtained with the diverse volunteer opportunities available to everyone. Another positive incentive of volunteering is the chance to learn about the diverse communities within our societies. Acceptance is bred through understanding. If you‘re not subjected to different cultures and ways of life, you can’t understand and accept them. When we understand the different cultures within our communities, then we can accept the differences between us. Also, a volunteer can bring their enthusiasm for their causes to community sites, which in turn will positively impact the lives of others, as well as their own. Unfortunately, not all communities offer many volunteering options; therefore a person must look for other ways outside their communities to volunteer. Another positive of volunteer work is experience; as a result, volunteering is a great way to enhance skills. There is no better way to gain knowledge than to work at an organization hand-picked to fit your personal needs and interests. Many educational experiences cannot be taught or learned in a classroom. Additionally, networking is an important part of searching for jobs and building connections. Community involvement is one of the best ways to foster relationships. Not only will a network be formed, but in some cases people who volunteer are offered permanent positions. The variety of volunteer opportunities are endless. Volunteering can range from reading to students, to building houses for the less fortunate. Natural disasters also create

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many opportunities to help. Volunteers can travel to remote areas in order to clean up after