April is Volunteer Month
"For it is in giving that we receive"- Francis of Assisi
Volunteers make a difference everywhere from schools, libraries, civic clubs, museums, food banks, and emergency service organizations, to Greek-letter organizations, animal shelters, and hospitals.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” - Muhammad Ali
Volunteers are the cornerstone of vibrant communities. It is appropriate that the theme for 2025 is “Volunteers Make Waves.”
While volunteers give of their time and talents, they also receive benefits. According to research by many organizations, volunteering offers health benefits, particularly for older adults. Mayo Clinic Health System documented improved physical and mental health due to the activities that keep people moving and thinking simultaneously. Mayo’s research confirms volunteering leads to less anxiety and depression in people 65 and older.
Expanding social networks and building new friendships also happen as a result of volunteering. When friends volunteer together, participating in a shared activity strengthens their relationships. Volunteering also exposes us to people from diverse backgrounds we may have never met. Giving back to our communities provides an opportunity to maintain our social skills outside of our profession and work.
Mayo Clinic researchers found older volunteers experienced increased satisfaction with their lives and higher self-esteem. There is a sense of purpose when we give our time to causes and organizations we find meaningful. No matter what our interest is—there is a volunteer opportunity looking for our talents. Volunteering is the perfect place to develop or practice a talent. Did you decide to try guitar last year? Performing at an assisted living facility or adult day care is an opportunity to play to a grateful audience.
Non-profit organizations are measured by impact. The engine behind that impact is their volunteers. In Indianapolis, the St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild, founded by five women in 1907, has contributed more than $14 million to Eskenazi Health (originally, Indianapolis City Hospital). The hospital is considered a ‘safety net’ hospital serving vulnerable populations, the uninsured, and low-income residents of Marion County, Indiana. The guild, with about 80 active volunteers this year, sponsors the longest-running “Show House Event” in the country beginning annually in 1962.
If you are still employed, volunteerism is an avenue for learning new skills. It is a way to practice new skills in a low-risk environment. I polished my presentation skills as a volunteer by speaking for non-profits. When I learned new skills (like project management) through my volunteer activities, I added the accomplishments to my resume. Volunteering also helps expand our networks as we meet people from different companies.
In a December 2024 issue of Forbes Magazine, Dale Bannon authored a thought-provoking article about the decline of volunteerism. Dale is the National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. He refers to a 2021 report that formal volunteerism is declining. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, 2.8 million Americans were engaged with The Salvation Army. In 2023, their volunteer numbers were 1.45 million volunteers. There have been reports highlighting post-pandemic social disconnection, isolation, and disconnection that continues. It is one of the reasons Dale observes for the decline in formal charitable and volunteering participation.
The need for increased volunteerism couldn’t be higher. It is up to nonprofits and organizations dependent on volunteers to reignite the spark in people to get involved. For those of us who lend our time and talents to organizations—we can spread the news. Volunteering benefits not just the recipient, it enriches the giver as well.
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Brenda, your comment ‘Volunteering benefits not just the recipient, it enriches the giver as well,’ is something most people underestimate. The benefits the giver receives from the volunteer experience needs to be emphasized as much as the good done for the community. That might help increase volunteer engagement.