International Volunteering Day

Posted by Tara Greco

Saturday, December 5, is International Volunteer Day, an event created by the UN in the 1980s to encourge service across the globe.
 
This coincides with the time of the year when most people consider donations to their favorite charities.
 
VolunteerMatch released a study this week that reports a strong connection between donations and service…Americans who volunteer donate 10 times more money to charity than people who don’t volunteer.
 
Maybe it’s because volunteers have a personal connection to the work–they see the need up close and have a better understanding of how their money supports the mission. Or maybe it’s because people who volunteer their time are more attuned with the idea of “giving back.”
 
Regardless of the motivation, I think it’s an appropriate time for all of us to consider how we’re contributing to our community. The recession has put stress on everyone, especially the social service organizations who are trying to fill gaps for people struggling to make ends meet. 
 
As the year winds down, please take a minute to consider if you can spare some change or some unscheduled minutes to help someone who could use a hand.