Give the vital gift of your time through volunteering
Giving in even simple ways can help those in need and improve your health and happiness
We have all heard the saying: give your time, talent and treasure.
But, with busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous to your well-being and the organization you are working with.
The truth is, most charities and public service providers need and want your help.
A survey done by Statistics Canada in 2013 about giving, volunteering and participating shows one in four Canadians are volunteering, devoting almost 2 billion hours to their volunteer activities. Unsurprisingly, the population of donors and volunteers is heavily influenced by adults aged 55plus.
Unfortunately, the survey showed that while volunteering is up, the total number of volunteers is down. That means we are getting more from fewer. While many who volunteer are contributing to their communities (on average 154 hours annually), the number of volunteers are going down.
While you have likely volunteered in some capacity during your lifetime, what you may not know is nonprofits rely on the help of volunteers to carry out their services and to make a positive impact in our community. Volunteers are truly the backbone of a nonprofit organization. They help with fundraising, administrative tasks, governance, and spreading the word about the mission of the organization.
Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. Giving back to the community could even bring you more happiness than money.
The right “volunteer match” can help you to find friends, connect with the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career. Giving to others can also improve your mental and physical health by reducing stress, increasing your self-esteem and provide a sense of purpose.
While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day. Giving in even simple ways can help those in need and improve your health and happiness.
I encourage you to think about what causes are dear to your heart and to reach out to an organization in your community to see if they need any volunteers. Getting involved in a volunteer activity with your friends, children, grandchildren, and extended family can be more rewarding than you ever imagined.
The more you are passionate about the cause, the more rewarding the experience will be.
You have the ability to make a positive impact in our community. There are hundreds of programs and services that are in need of more volunteers. From helping at a community event to cooking at your local shelter, to assisting patients in your local hospital, it all makes a difference.
If you would like to learn more about volunteering, contact the organization you are interested in or visit their website.
Roger D. Ali is the president and CEO of Niagara Health Foundation and immediate past chair (volunteer) for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Foundation for Philanthropy Canada. Follow Roger on Twitter @FundraiseRoger.