Do volunteers make the world go round? Quite possibly, yes! Volunteers make a big impact in the community. They can enhance infrastructure, promote understanding, contribute to a healthier environment, and make the community a better place to live. Whether that’s cleaning up the roadways, mentoring a child, or making home repairs, those efforts go a long way in building a stronger community for everyone.
In 2023, 790 volunteers donated 17,679 volunteer hours to make safety-related repairs and accessibility upgrades to homeowners, allowing WARM NC to serve more than 400 families in our community.
Volunteering not only changes the lives of the people we serve, volunteering can change you! In celebration of National Volunteer Month, here are 4 reasons to volunteer:
Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose.
The very nature of volunteering means you are choosing to give your time without being compensated for it. As a result, you are more than likely choosing a cause that you really care about. The act of volunteering fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, providing a platform for you to make a difference.
Volunteers live longer and are healthier.
We didn’t make this one up! According to a 2020 study publishes in the Journal of Happiness Studies, volunteers are happier and healthier than non-volunteers. Volunteering can be as beneficial for your health as exercising and eating well. Older people who volunteer tend to experience enhanced psychological well-being and enjoy a longer lifespan.
Meet new friends and gain a sense of community.
Online connections via social media may be the norm, but volunteering is a good way to establish new, lasting relationships. Sharing a common interest with new people helps you form friendships and help you feel connected to those you are helping in the community. Volunteering with friends and family can strengthen existing bonds.
Learn valuable skills
As a volunteer, you receive training and hands-on experience that can help you in other areas of your life. WARM NC volunteers don’t need construction experience, but they will definitely have construction experience after they volunteer! That being said, volunteer work can also help you leave your comfort zone as you do something new with people you may not know.
If you aren’t currently volunteering, and most people are not, why not try committing just one day? We guarantee you’ll get back more than you ever imagined because ultimately, the ripple effects of volunteering are far-reaching, enriching the lives of volunteers, beneficiaries, and society as a whole.