Almost everyone is familiar with the concept of volunteering. Maybe you’ve
even volunteered yourself. Volunteering can take many different
forms—cleaning up a park, reading to children, serving meals, building
housing, and more. Whatever it is you are doing when you volunteer is good
and should be applauded, but it may be more important than you realize.
Volunteering Helps Those in Need – Perhaps the main reason why
volunteering is important is that it helps other people who are in need.
Put simply, it makes the world a better place. Without volunteers giving
their time and effort to charities and nonprofit organizations, many
people would not receive the support and assistance they need to get by.
For example, if an organization focused on providing housing for
individuals in need didn’t have volunteers willing to help, then there
wouldn’t be any houses built—or at least not as many—to provide homes for
people.
This doesn’t just affect people in need either. Volunteering also has a
tremendous impact on our environment and the plants and animals that make
it up. Volunteers play a crucial role in protecting our planet and the
species that call it home by doing things like cleaning up ocean
pollution, planting trees, protecting public lands, saving wildlife,
growing community gardens, and more. In this way, volunteering can be
thought to help everyone living on Earth since many efforts focus on
protecting the environment we all share. Other efforts also create
stronger communities and society as a whole, also benefitting all people.
Benefits of Volunteering
Provides you with a sense of purpose
You may be able to find your purpose through volunteering and becoming part of something greater than yourself. For instance, if you’re retired, unexpectedly unemployed or have lost a loved one, helping others can give your life new meaning and keep you mentally stimulated
A sense of community
Volunteering can help you feel connected to those you are helping in the community. This experience may make you want to get involved with other aspects of your community, such as local politics or advocating for programs you believe are important.
Improves your social skills
Volunteering gives you a chance to talk to new people and sharpen your social skills. By spending a lot of time working with others and using social skills, like active listening and relationship management, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your future personal and business relationships.
You may be able to find your purpose through volunteering and becoming part of something greater than yourself. For instance, if you’re retired, unexpectedly unemployed or have lost a loved one, helping others can give your life new meaning and keep you mentally stimulated
Volunteering can help you feel connected to those you are helping in the community. This experience may make you want to get involved with other aspects of your community, such as local politics or advocating for programs you believe are important.
Volunteering gives you a chance to talk to new people and sharpen your social skills. By spending a lot of time working with others and using social skills, like active listening and relationship management, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your future personal and business relationships.