Volunteering…when I was in the military, that usually meant agreeing to do something that was not easy and with the potential of being harmful. Not so with community volunteering. In fact, stepping up to help neighbors and those in need is easy and has been associated with multiple very positive outcomes for not only the community and the people helped, but also for the volunteer.
Community Value
For those who minimize any value to their volunteer work, let’s begin with the financial value placed on volunteer work. The average value is placed at approximately $3,400 for every 100 hours. A Bureau of Labor Statistics report noted 63 million American volunteers delivered work worth $169 billion in one year.
From the community perspective, volunteering helps deliver essential services by filling in resource gaps. It can serve as a catalyst for community development and change by encouraging active citizenship and community responsibility. And, volunteering helps foster unity and mutual understanding among diverse community members.
Personal Value
It’s not being selfish to think about the value that volunteering can bring to your life. Whether it’s learning new skills, advancing one’s career, knowing yourself and your community better, or just making new friends and acquaintances, serving your community is a powerful way to become more engaged in your community. The Greek philosopher Aristotle once surmised that the essence of life is “To serve others and do good.” If recent research is any indication, serving others might also be the essence of good health.
Your Health On Volunteering
You have, no doubt, heard the adage, “It’s better to give than to receive.” In no other area is this more true than with volunteerism. The benefit list for your better health is seemingly endless. Some years ago, I wrote a book about healthy longevity (Live Long, Die Short: A Guide to Authentic Health and Successful Aging). My research found that it is crystal clear that lifestyle is the major determinant of how well we age. Genes, in fact, are responsible for approximately 30 percent. The lifestyle that is likely to result in a healthy longevity needs to be holistic: physically active, mentally engaged, socially connected and with meaning and purpose in your life. Volunteering for the right reason—to make people’s lives better and to improve the community—is a virtual prescription for healthy longevity.
Physically, serving others will most likely keep you off the sofa and out in the world, moving much more than you would otherwise. A recent Mayo Clinic paper was titled “Sitting is the New Smoking.” Moving is a major factor of healthy aging whereas a sedentary lifestyle puts us at great risk.
Mentally, volunteering will keep your brain engaged, learning new things and lowering your level of stress. With stress being one of the strongest threats to our good health, this outcome of volunteering is a magic potion for better quality of life, along with reduced likelihood of loneliness, depression and even impairment due to heart disease, stroke, cancer or dementia.
Socially, getting out to help others and the community will prevent the lethal effects of isolation and loneliness. Building and maintaining social connections are not only more enjoyable, they keep us involved in the world with huge health returns.
Having meaning and purpose in life can be very difficult as we age. Our previous purposes have been achieved and unless we seek new reasons to get out of bed in the morning, we wither. You’ve no doubt heard the term “paying it forward”—performing acts of kindness with the hope that others will do the same. This can be a powerful purpose in one’s life.
So, yes, volunteer to help others and your community, but realize you will find the work fulfilling as it makes you healthier.
How To Get Started
It’s important to ask yourself two questions before embarking on a search to volunteer. The first is, why do I want to volunteer? No matter what your reason, helping others and your community should be the underlying driving force if you are to reap the maximum health benefit and have volunteering be a consistent purpose in your life. The second question is, what do I enjoy doing? With so many possibilities, your volunteer efforts should be meaningful and make you smile. Otherwise, it will become an onerous task you will eventually discontinue.
Google “volunteering” and then drill down deeper by pursuing your preferences. AARP.com offers an easy way to find your volunteering niche. Googling “volunteering near me” will get you options closer to home.
And now let’s talk about our community. Falmouth offers many opportunities to engage in volunteering. The need is great; your time will be appreciated and valuable.
Dr. Mike Bihari, president emeritus of Neighborhood Falmouth and a member of the town’s human services committee, has previously written a column on this topic and I quote him here: “Falmouth has numerous nonprofits that rely on volunteers to help fulfill their mission. Just a few of the local organizations looking for volunteers include Belonging to Each Other, Falmouth Service Center, Neighborhood Falmouth, Falmouth Senior Center, Falmouth Art Center and the Falmouth Hospital Auxiliary. And, for more than 40 years, VIPS has been working with volunteers to support Falmouth Public Schools students. VIPS programs offer volunteers many ways to get involved, including regular one-to-one mentoring, classroom assistance or presenting a lesson.”
Having served in the armed forces, I often get the kind phrase “Thank you for your service.” Volunteering is service. I hope you hear these same words very soon.
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