T here are plenty of reasons to
volunteer your time for a good
cause. While you can see the
participants who are receiving the help are
benefiting, did you know that you are experiencing
positive benefits when you volunteer?
Studies have shown that when you donate
your time and expertise to help others,
it helps to foster a sense of belonging which
gives you a new network of friends and may
help ward off depression. There is a connection
created with other people which can
help you to make new friends, boost your social
skills and prevent loneliness.
Volunteering provides a sense of purpose
and can remind you that you have plenty of
skills that are worth sharing with the world.
It provides a sense of accomplishment and
helps you to take your mind off of your own
worries and problems, sometimes helping to
remind you how blessed you are in your own
situation. Researchers are even doing studies
to correlate volunteering on a regular basis
with a lowering of blood pressure and an increase
in cognition skills. The preliminary results
of those studies are looking promising!
If you are thinking about becoming a
volunteer here are some questions to ask
yourself:
• How much time would I
have for volunteering?
• Do I have a favorite cause or
organization that I would like
to become more involved in?
• Do I want to work with
adults, kids, animals?
• Do I like to work with
others or do I like to
work independently?
•What kind of skills do I have?
(You have more than you think!)
Before diving into a non-profit organization,
start close to home. Do your aging parents
need some help with things they used to
do independently? How about the neighbor
down the street who lives alone and just had
knee surgery? Would it be most helpful if you
mowed your Mom’s lawn for her or brought
your Dad to his doctor appointments? Could
you pick up some groceries for someone
while you are doing your own shopping? Is
your neighbor a single mom with small children
who could just use an hour to herself?
Think of those people who are in your life already
who could benefit from your help.
Do you like working with kids? Check out
the local schools. They may look for guest
readers, people who can help with arts and
crafts, or people to help with special events
like book fairs, vendor nights, or field day
events. Sometimes schools can use help with
creating the set for the annual school play too!
The library loves to use volunteers for special
events or reading to children as well as to restock
the books back onto the shelves.
Do you like sports? Many organizations
can use help coaching the children in the various
sports. Even if the teams each have a
head coach, a helper can give some extra attention
to a child who is struggling or can do
the little things like helping the kids put on
equipment, collecting the balls, giving out
water, lining the field etc.
Places of worship can always use help.
Teaching religious education classes, keeping
a food pantry running, working at a
bazaar, cleaning the church and helping people
of the religious community get to some
of the services are just a few of the things
that volunteers can do in these communities.
Hospitals can always use volunteers. You
can work in the gift shop or visit patients who
don’t have any visitors. You can help the
younger patients to make crafts or you can
read to patients. You can also do these things
in nursing homes or rehabilitation centers.
If you want to see what opportunities are
available to you there are many websites you
can go to that list volunteer needs in your
community. If you search volunteer opportunities
in your web browser you will find
many websites devoted to volunteering.
AARP has a site called createthegood.org
and there is a site that is called volunteermatch.
org where you can put your zip code
in to find a list of events in your area.
Becoming a volunteer is a win-win situation.
The people receiving the help are
benefiting but you will be surprised at the
joy you feel from the time you put in to help
others. You know what they say: “it is better
to give than to receive!”
Volunteering
in Your
NeighborhoodBy
Sheila M. Clancy
MS, CHES
28 BC Health, Beauty & Fitness
/createthegood.org