There are so many incredible advantages to volunteering, they would be difficult to cover in one little blog post like this one! “Many hands make light work” – this is a saying that is quoted often in the emails and newsletters that are sent out by my daughters’ school, and we even have required volunteer hours that need to be met by each parent.
This requirement, though it took awhile for everyone to get used to at first, has established an incredibly strong community of parents.
One of the many advantages of family volunteering is having your family work on a project together. Not only can you spend time with one another, but you help someone who is less fortunate than yourselves. If you look at it like that, it’s a win-win situation.
Perhaps your family is concerned about the environment.
You can probably find environmental projects you can do in your own area. Call the local city park to see if they need help. They may ask you to help pick up litter, plant trees or flowers in flower beds, or place markers to identify the trees along a walking trail.
Many town and city districts have established eco-initiatives in place these days, and there are usually posters placed around, ads in the newspaper or in the community guide regarding meetings for such organizations to get more people involved and on board. If this is something that is of interest to you and your family and you are looking to start something up, you can follow in the footsteps and guidelines of programs such as this one.
Another activity your family can volunteer for is to work at a soup kitchen or center for homeless people.
They have to feed those staying at the shelter every day so they’d probably be thrilled to have someone come to the center to help cook, serve, or clean up after meals. Many people consider helping during the holidays, but of course there are needs at these shelters and centers all year round.
Is anyone in your family handy with tools?
You may want to volunteer as a family to work on a Habitat for Humanity home or some similar project. If you get involved when the project first starts and see it through completion, your family can feel proud of a job well done and see the joy on a deserving family’s face when they are handed the keys to their new home.
What are some other advantages to getting your family to volunteer?
1) You’re teaching your children about giving to others rather than always asking for something.
2) Volunteering allows children to become involved in their community in a tangible way.
3) It teaches your family to become stronger, promotes positive values, and teaches them how to work as a team.
4) Having your children volunteer while they’re young will probably encourage them to continue volunteering as an adult. They may even pass the volunteering tradition onto their own children.
5) Family volunteering can be a lot of fun!
Bring your family together by volunteering. You can strengthen your family, have fun, and benefit others in the process.
How Becoming a Volunteer Enriches Your Life
Are you experiencing a lull in your life where you feel bored with your current living situation? Maybe you’re out of work and feel unsure about how to progress forward in life. If you identify with this or are just feeling unfulfilled or restless lately, consider volunteering.
Volunteering can advance your personal and career growth immensely:
1. When you volunteer, everybody wins.
The agency or organization you work for gets some tasks completed without having to pay someone to do them. And the people or animals the agency supports will benefit from the work you do for them.
2. As a volunteer, you’ll expand your personal horizons.
* If you’re a social butterfly, you’ll make new friends. If you’re quiet and shy, volunteering will facilitate your personal skills. Win-win!
* It’s not unusual for volunteers to discover they share common likes and interests with staff members they work with.
* You’ll be exposed to completely new environments, depending on where you choose to help out. You’ll meet new people and experience new things.
3. Volunteers re-define their professional image in a number of ways.
You’ll learn new skills that will help you in both your personal and professional life.
* Often, agencies who utilize volunteers don’t require you to have specific skills when you begin. Therefore, you “hit the ground running.” This can be incredibly exciting and enriching because you’ll have opportunities to discover new abilities and practice new skills.
* Also, there’s a real possibility that you’ll expand your business network whenever you volunteer. Coming into contact with a diverse group of people may even provide possible job opportunities for you as well.
4. Volunteering will refresh you in your job-hunting efforts.
Giving your time and energy into a volunteer project literally allows you to escape from your normal routine. When you volunteer, you’ll become invigorated with new energy, passion, and drive.
* You’ll be reminded of the skills you have, the confidence you hold, and the energy you expend when you’re doing a job.
5. You’ll feel great to know you’re helping an organization and those they serve.
Giving to others can evoke wonderful feelings within you and the people you help.
* Knowing that you’ve made a real contribution to people or animals will enrich your life in countless ways.
* Helping people who need aid taps in to your true humanity. You’ll be reminded that everyone needs assistance at some point in life. And you’ll feel humbled by the experience of coming to the aid of others who are truly in need.
* Animal lovers stand to derive great personal pleasure by helping at a local humane society, animal rescue facility, or animal-fostering program. Getting exposed to new animals and learning how to care for them can provide fascinating learning experiences when you volunteer with an animal-related organization.
Deciding to volunteer involves taking a look at your current situation first so you can fit this activity into your schedule on a regular basis. Investigate your volunteer possibilities and go for it! Embrace all of the enriching experiences that volunteering offers.
maria @closetohome says
we have talked about doing this as family but have not found the right place. We do adopt a child for xmas and shop together.
Amanda Love says
All great reasons to help out as a family. We help out at my church and at their food pantry.