Find a volunteer match!
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
volunteer match
A volunteer match
If you ever thought about volunteering, maybe it is time to find a match. There are many that need volunteers; try to find something that interests yourself. Personally, I have always wanted to help out with Habitat for Humanity. Something about pitching in to build a house for a needy couple, seems a great thing to do. So that will be my next volunteer project.
Parents, you can always take your kids with you to a shelter, where you help serve food to the needy. Your kids need to see just how many people could use some help, and just how fortunate they are in their own circumstances. A lot of kids and adults too, find a volunteer match at animal shelters. These animals need help with their care, personal grooming, playing with them, and paying attention to them. By volunteering, you get to know the animals personalities, and can recommend to your friends who are looking to buy a cat or dog, a great pet for them.
Your local church can be a great source of volunteerism. You can volunteer to help with the church events or help reach out to the community. Volunteering should not be a chore, in fact there are many benefits to the person who volunteers. One of the benefits is that you know you are making a positive influence on someone’s life. That can help give a purpose to your own life.
Volunteering helps lower depression; it takes your mind off of your own situations for a while, and puts it on someone else. It helps reduce stress and helps improve your mood, because you are helping other people; this can make you happier. It is a win-win situation. When your mood is improved, you smile more and you feel good. Everyday becomes less of a chore to get through, in fact, you may even look forward to the next day!
You are learning new skills, that you can apply towards work experience. Sometimes these skills are learning to work well with others, coordinating, and setting priorities. If you are applying to college; college admission counselors look positively toward volunteer experience. It shows that you are willing to go the extra mile for your community, and you are not afraid to give your time!
Last but not least by volunteering, you are meeting new people who have similar interests as you do. It can be very fun and satisfying. It is in giving that you receive! So if your life needs a major tune-up; it is time for you to find a volunteer match!