National Volunteer Month / Volunteering with Hero!
April is National Volunteer Month. This month is dedicated to honoring all of the volunteers in our communities as well as encouraging volunteerism.
The definition of volunteerism is the use or involvement of volunteer labor, especially in community services. This is the practice of providing time and skills for the benefits of other people and causes rather than for financial benefit.
So what are the benefits of volunteerism and why is it so important? Let’s take a look at 6 ways volunteerism can be beneficial!
- Meeting new people and building community
Everyone loves meeting new people! Being a part of a team with common goals will help you form bonds that can be life changing. Volunteering connects people with very specific shared values. You’re sure to meet people and make new friends that share common interests, values, and outlooks. Building a community in which you are working toward a common goal, will nurture your sense of belonging and purpose.
- Gaining knowledge and understanding other ways of life
Volunteering might take you to a new part of your community that you have never been to before! It can offer the opportunity to bring people into your social network you otherwise wouldn’t meet. It is also a chance to learn about cultures and raise awareness of problems other individuals might face.
- Gaining a sense of purpose and becoming happier
Volunteering definitely gives you a sense of accomplishment which can lead to happiness. Throughout your life you’ve developed social and professional skills that promote your personal achievements. Using those skills for a communal impact can be much more fulfilling.
- Boosts your self-esteem
That’s right! Studies have shown that volunteering can improve your self-esteem.The more opportunities you take to learn new skills and gain knowledge, the more you will develop as a person. Stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the best ways to develop self esteem. When you challenge yourself through volunteering and receive appreciation from others, it can make you feel better, emotionally and physically.
- Advancing your career
Volunteering will offer you skills that can be used throughout your career development. When you have volunteering experience to add to your resume, you stand out over other candidates. This can highlight your character, passion, and determination.
- Health benefits
It’s very true! There are actually many physical benefits that come from volunteering like reducing stress, and getting more sleep at night. Some studies have even shown that heart disease mortality rates are lower in volunteers vs. non-volunteers in older adults. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5971845/).
Getting started on your volunteer journey!
So now you’ve seen the many ways volunteering can be beneficial – What now? One of the many beauties of volunteering is that there are endless ways you can get involved and start making a difference in your community! The key is finding something you are passionate about in a community you love. Hero is always looking for volunteers to help those impacted by blood cancer!
What do Hero Volunteers do?
- Assist with bone marrow registry drives
- Assist with fun fundraising events
- Various office tasks like putting together goodie bags & organizing t-shirts
- Encouraging others to join the National Bone Marrow Registry
- Have fun supporting blood cancer patients!
If you would like to learn more information about National Volunteer month, benefits of volunteerism, joining the bone marrow registry, or have any other questions, please contact There Goes My Hero at 443-339-4375 or email us at charis.taylor@theregoesmyhero.org.