Volunteering. It’s a word we hear so often, but do we ever stop to think about why we volunteer? Our world is not a perfect place, and often people, animals, and places need help. Volunteers help make a difference. Volunteers improve communities. They bring food to hungry people, they provide clothing and shelter for people who need them, they help make neighborhoods safer and more beautiful, they care for people who are sick, and they help people learn to read. Volunteers can do so much for others, but it’s also important to remember that by volunteering you can help yourself, too.
“I volunteer because I want to help others in my community. I work a couple of days a week in the food pantry at the Round Rock Area Serving Center. It is very satisfying to help families by providing them with food. I love to see the smiling faces of the adults and children that come through the pantry. They are very thankful for the service we provide. I also enjoy working with my fellow volunteers.”
-Tinka Saxena
There are so many reasons why people volunteer. Traditionally, a lot of people volunteer for altruistic reasons. People want to make a difference and give back with no expectation or need for a reward or compensation. People want to improve the world around them, plus it’s always nice to feel important and needed. Yet, there is more to volunteering than just that. Volunteering brings people together and strengthens a community, but it also provides many people with unique opportunities. Volunteering can help you gain important skills and experiences that will help you later in life. Volunteering can build confidence and self-esteem. It can help with getting into college or getting jobs. Volunteering gives people the opportunity to meet new people and friends that could be great role models. But most importantly, volunteering allows people to feel like they belong somewhere within a larger community that cares about and is passionate about similar causes.
At places like The Volunteer Center and The Serving Center, we rely on volunteers. Our volunteers are the ones who make sure everything runs smoothly, and we appreciate them more than they know.
