Have you ever volunteered? One out of four Americans volunteer, two out of three Americans help their neighbor according to a study performed by The Corporation for National & Community Service. Considering the US population is in the millions, there is a significant number volunteering every year.
Why do people volunteer? It varies from person to person really.
- Passion for a cause.
- Respected resume booster for a job or college.
- Great way to meet people and be social.
- Helps your health by helping you focus on others and not yourself.
- Can help relieve tension.
- Feeling of empowerment and doing good for others can have a major impact on one’s own self-worth and self-esteem.
These are just a handful of reasons people choose to volunteer. Your reason may be different. They can be deeply personal, but most can agree that volunteering has a positive impact on their life.
Some people may feel they can’t volunteer because they think it requires too much of their time. Some organizations may have a time requirement for volunteers, so make sure to ask. A vast majority though, are happy to have a volunteer for as little or as much as they’re willing to give.
What do volunteers do? It depends on the organization you’re volunteering for. It can be anything from cleaning out a dog kennel to assisting in building a house. There are skill-specific volunteer opportunities where you may need a certain skill set already, but there are also opportunities for people looking to gain experience.
Fairmont Community Development Partnership has a variety of volunteer opportunities. Contact our office today to see what may be a great fit for you.