The benefits of volunteering aren’t limited to the recipients, they can do good for your health and soul, too!
After spending the time, money, or effort to help another person, the benefits of volunteering often include feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and eager to do more volunteer work.
At Cameron’s Crusaders, our volunteers help us manage events, solicit donations for our auctions, and are always around for a solid high five.
You should also know that volunteering is basically proven to make you happier, according to Simple Changes, Big Rewards: A Practical, Easy Guide for Healthy, Happy Living, by Harvard Health Publications.
“When researchers at the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in a large group of American adults, they found the more people volunteered, the happier they were, according to a study in Social Science and Medicine. Compared with people who never volunteered, the odds of being “very happy” rose 7% among those who volunteer monthly and 12% for people who volunteer every two to four weeks. Among weekly volunteers, 16% felt very happy—a hike in happiness comparable to having an income of $75,000–$100,000 versus $20,000, say the researchers.”
Here are more reasons why you may enjoy volunteering:
- You’ll be helping at least one person, and to that person, it could mean their life.
- You’ll meet lots of new people and make new friends in your community.
- Your social skills will improve, as you engage with a variety of different people from all different backgrounds.
- You may find a new sense of purpose, improving your outlook on daily life.
- Volunteering is a great add-on to your resume or college applications.
If you’re a business who is considering including volunteering with your team, consider this:
“An article from Forbes discussed an in-depth survey performed by America’s Charities, which found how 68 percent of respondents looked to employers to provide ways to give back. In some cases, that meant instituting a workplace giving program, and in others, employees wanted permission to use work hours for volunteer purposes.”
If you’re looking for volunteering opportunities in Massachusetts, learn about our upcoming volunteer opportunities where your efforts directly help a family struggling to make ends meet while trying to save their child.