4 minute read
The value of volunteers
VETERANS CHRONICLE
The value of volunteering
Plenty of local opportunities to share time, talents
The average American volunteers about 48 hours per year, roughly four hours/month, to charitable causes.
Volunteering not only helps the typically understaffed non-profit you are interested in, but it also connects you directly to the cause. You are able to see what you are giving your hard-earned dollars for, and see your efforts pay off.
High levels of volunteerism and civic engagement can lead to lower unemployment rates, stronger economic benefits for individuals, and stronger economic communities.
People who volunteer with an organization during the day are building up their skills, networking and meeting new people. Volunteering can lead to economic opportunity as volunteers gain new skills and meet new contacts, as well as experience the profound joy and satisfaction that comes from serving a larger cause. Volunteering can also provide a somewhat intangible benefit to people: Hope.
Responding to disasters often brings out the best in Americans, who have a strong desire to help their neighbors in need.
Faith-based organizations are “on the ground” identifying needs. They are working and serving in communities and neighborhoods, and they hear from the public about the needs. The top volunteer activity in 2011 was raising funds for charities of faith-based organizations.
Faith-based organizations often provide the most well-oiled mechanism. They are adept at finding specific needs in the community and working to address those needs. Faith-based organizations provide a well-organized vehicle for people to help through. Americans want to help others, but they need to be connected to both a need and an organized mechanism. They can't just show up.
The civic health of communities is linked with unemployment rates. Volunteering, public meetings, voting, helping neighbors and a high density of nonprofits all contribute to communities with lower unemployment. This is something for public officials, such as mayors, to recognize. (“More Americans volunteering time, new report shows,” information from Wendy Spencer, CEO of Corporation for National & Community Service, Deseret News, Dec. 14, 2012)
What you can do
Nonprofits are facing an increasing demand for their services. Volunteers can step in and provide help that will benefit you and our community.
Statistics
The No. 1 reason people volunteer is because they are asked!
In 2011, more than 64 million Americans volunteered through an organization. It was a five-year high, the end result nearly 8 billion hours. In addition, most Americans helped their neighbors in some way, and more than a third actively participated in a civic, religious or school group.
No one counted the acts of kindness and charity committed on an individual basis by those who simply knew someone with a need and tried to meet it: People who helped families that would otherwise do without at Christmas-time, who taught someone to read, manned a desk at the local homeless shelter, or gathered books for an informal rural library.
No one has gathered statistics on how many people cleared their neighbor’s sidewalk, or picked up a few items at the store for a homebound elderly neighbor when they did their own shopping.
One-third (34.4%) of those who volunteered in 2011 did so through religious organizations, the highest percentage in any sector. Religious organizations often provide the best structure for organized volunteering and the best insight into on-theground-needs.
Find a volunteer opportunity that works for you. Your service can make a difference.
“I am fortunate God gave me a talent. I have a duty to share it. My point is not what I have done, but what I have done for someone else.” - Dick Carpenter, founder, Spokane's Inland Northwest PET Project
“To turn caring into action, we need to see a problem, find a solution, and deliver impact.” - Bill Gates
“Don't just go for the safe projects, take on the really tough problems.” - Warren Buffet
“No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” - Aesop's
Fables
Other local veteran organizations that welcome volunteers will be published in future editions.
COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
The Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Administration Medical Center in Spokane.
Volunteers needed at
The Voluntary Services at each VISN 20 Healthcare Network facility support the traditional use of volunteer resources. Many veterans have come to depend on volunteers for an improved quality of life while they are patients in a VAMC facility. The staff has also come to appreciate volunteer assistance which helps to make them more productive and attentive to the needs of our veterans.
Volunteers provide many important functions throughout the Medical Centers and help make our patients' stay more enjoyable. Volunteers can perform a number of services and a volunteer's talents are closely matched with one of our many assignments.
Volunteers provide a wide range of support and financial assistance to programs for veteran patients throughout the year.
To volunteer, call or visit a VA Medical Center Voluntary Service Office. You can also complete an application to volunteer at www.volunteer.va.gov/apps/ VolunteerNow/
The VA will be happy to receive your application or discuss how you can help in its mission to provide comfort and care to America's veterans.
Volunteer assignments
Ways you can volunteer at the VAMC are below. Or, if you have special skills to offer, please contact the VA to discuss how you can best use your talents. Other organizations that can help find projects for volunteers include Veterans Service Center or Newby-ginnings of North Idaho. • Volunteer van drivers • Parking lot golf cart drivers • Volunteer office assistant • Pharmacy assistant • Patient escort volunteers • Amenity relief volunteer • Magazine/book cart • Mailroom assistant Other local veteran organizations that welcome volunteers will be published in future editions.
