It can be hard to find the time to volunteer in our hectic lives, but there are more than enough reasons to prioritize giving back to others in your weekly routine. The Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota relies on the generosity of others to donate their time and talents for our program. We think volunteering is awesome and to celebrate March 10th, the Day of Awesomeness, here are ten reasons to volunteer!
1. Volunteering Makes You Happy
The more you volunteer, the happier you will be. This was demonstrated by a study at the London School of Economics. They found that compared to people who never volunteered, those who volunteered weekly reported a 16% increase in happiness!
2. It Lowers Stress and Anxiety
Helping and working with others has been shown to drastically improve psychological health, decreasing stress and anxiety. There is nothing more uplifting than working together to help others.
3. It Provides Work Experience
Volunteering can be used in any field as a way to get valuable career experience. Serving for Boys and Girls Club can be especially applicable if you plan to become a teacher, counselor, therapist, psychologist, social worker, or pediatrician. Even if you do not plan to go into those fields, working with local youth develops many personal skills attractive to future employers.
4. It Helps Connect You With Others
Volunteering expands your ability to connect and relate to all sorts of different people. Whether you are serving the unfortunate, working alongside a youth, or caring for the elderly, the ways volunteering opens up your heart are tremendous. Volunteering is all about uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal.
5. It Strengthens The Community
Community service and volunteerism are an investment in your community and the people who live in it. At Boys and Girls Club, our program supports families, improves schools, and mentors local youth. Your help in our organization matters because you are making an impact in your local community.
6. You Can Make New Friends
People who volunteer alongside you and the ones you serve can become lifelong friends. Sometimes these genuine relationships develop in surprising ways!
7. It Initiates Personal Growth
Most people who volunteer would say it improved their self-esteem, helped them be more grateful as well as generous, and gave them perspective. Putting yourself in situations where you have to humble yourself and give back oftentimes causes one to become more introspective. Beginning regular volunteer work is a great way to become the kind of person you have always wanted to be.
8. Volunteering Conserves Resources
The work you do is not for nothing. It saves your community and the programs you serve thousands of dollars. In some places, your volunteered time is worth as much as $26.87 per hour!
9. It Teaches You New Skills
Opportunities to volunteer could give you the skills to build a relationship, build a website, or play a new game. There’s no limit to what you can learn through your volunteer experiences.
10. You Will Feel Awesome
The satisfaction you will gain from volunteering is indescribable. The boost in happiness, the humility in servitude, the gratitude that comes from perspective, and the self-esteem you will gain, will make you proud to know you are an awesome volunteer.
Volunteering for Boys and Girls Club benefits both our organization and your personal well-being. Apply today and join our efforts to make a difference in the lives of local youth. Have an Awesome Day!