This year National Volunteer Week will be observed April 18 – 24. The week provides a time to celebrate, recognize, and thank volunteers for their time and efforts. Volunteering helps communities, makes an immeasurable difference in the lives of others, and enhances the well-being of volunteers.
Why should you volunteer?
- Helping others is a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
- Volunteering can improve your health by reducing stress, preventing feelings of isolation that can lead to depression, and by helping you stay physically and mentally healthy.
- Volunteering strengthens ties to your community.
- Volunteering provides opportunities to pursue your interests outside of work.
- Volunteering gives you a chance to share your knowledge with others, such as tutoring a child in math, teaching a family how to garden, or helping a local charity better organize their office.
The past year has been particularly hard on vulnerable populations, including older adults, the unhoused, low-income families, and those with chronic health conditions. Many Americans have stepped up to help those in need and have found creative ways to continue to volunteer for their communities during a period of social distancing.
If you are interested in finding ways to volunteer, the AmeriCorps National Service website provides a search engine to connect you to volunteer opportunities in your community. Be sure to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s health and safety measures if you volunteer in person.