By Carol Fisher Linn
Volunteering is a generous and often joyful act – a way of demonstrating what volunteers stand for and consider valuable. National Volunteer Month celebrates and honors the impact volunteers have on our lives and encourages active volunteerism in generations to come.
National Volunteer Month is an extension to an already-established holiday-week, first held in 1943 in Canada. The week was dedicated to paying tribute to the unwavering contributions of women during World War II who would collect supplies and help the wounded soldiers. When the war ended, recognitions slowed but re-emerged in the U.S. in 1974, and by 1990 Volunteerism Month was made official worldwide. (nationaltoday.com)
One in four Americans volunteer. Women are more likely than men to volunteer, with most between ages 35-44. Baby Boomers are more likely to volunteer than any other generation. People in their early 20s are least likely to volunteer – only 18.8% do so. Over 1 billion people worldwide volunteer with the effect of their labor being equal to over 109 million full-time workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and AmeriCorps data, volunteer time in the states is currently valued at $28.54 per hour. Volunteers contribute nearly $200 billion in value to U.S. communities. 35.97% of the time spent volunteering is dedicated to fundraising while 34.22% of volunteering activity goes to collecting, prepping, or distributing food. About 30.3% of Americans volunteer spending on average 52 hours a year volunteering. Utah has the highest number of volunteers – Florida has the lowest.
Are you unemployed? Volunteer because you are more likely to be hired than a non-volunteer. Volunteers who’ve been unemployed are 27% more likely to find work. Resume statistics indicate that 91% of recruiters value soft skills as much as hard skills, and volunteering is an excellent way to develop soft skills in a real-world environment. Volunteers and other community members report a litany of other benefits. These include fostering a stronger sense of unity, involving marginalized people in community projects, and improving overall physical and mental health. (teamstage.io)
Ellicottville has a long history of volunteering, as have many of our nearby communities in Cattaraugus, Erie, and Chautauqua counties. When thinking of volunteers, one can’t help but think of our energetic Alley Katz who keep our village blooming and beautiful. The Rotarians, The Bares Foundation, and the Bobby McCarthy Foundation quietly and generously spread good works all year long as well. Holiday Valley and HoliMont enjoy the benefits of volunteers on their slopes. The Historical Society is run mostly by volunteers as is the Ellicottville Arboretum. How would the village manage without the volunteers for the Mardi Gras Parade, Summer Fest, and the many events in town that keep the community on visitors’ radar? And don’t forget the extra hours given by tutors and teachers, the people involved in Project Christmas, school productions and sports programs (example: the current field lighting project).
Sterling Volunteers, Trvst
It is humbling to realize that most of the people we call when we dial 911, who are there in a heartbeat to put out a fire or save a building or a life, are volunteers. Think about that for a minute. When the call comes in, they drop what they are doing to answer that call – it could be yours, or mine (again). Community volunteers. You are too many to mention (and too humble to even recognize) but thank you!
Wondering where you might volunteer? Here are a few suggestions: drive seniors, physically or visually impaired or those with no transportation to medical appointments; deliver meals on wheels; nonprofits depend almost 100% on volunteers; offer to be a senior or shut-in visitor/helper; be blood drive helpers, blood donors, living organ donors, healthcare helpers; volunteer for hospice and food pantries; clean up your parks, plant community gardens, visit or help with crafts at nursing homes, senior facilities, hospitals, libraries; volunteer in churches, museums, prisons, animal shelters. Neighbors can assist with eldercare, childcare, meals, errands, yardwork, etc. Contact AARP for more suggestions and opportunities in your location.
Meanwhile, say thank you to those who give so much of themselves. Maybe it’s time we had a volunteer appreciation party. (Of course, we’d need volunteers to volunteer to help!) There is so much negative on social media – share your positive volunteer stories/photos using the hashtag