#2:Volunteering encourages civic responsibility.  Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.

#3: You get a chance to give back.  People like to support community resources that they use themselves or that benefit people they care about.

#4: You learn a lot.  Volunteers learn things like these:

   • Self: Volunteers discover hidden talents may change your view on your self worth.

   • Government: Through working with local non-profit agencies, volunteers learn about the function and operation of our government.

   • Community: Volunteers gain knowledge of local resources avalible to solve community needs.

 

#5: Volunteering strengthens your community. As a volunteer you help:
   • Support families (daycare and eldercare)
   • Improve schools (tutoring, literacy)
   • Support youth (mentoring and after-school programs)
   • Beautify the community (beach and park cleanups)

 

#6: It promotes personal growth and self esteem.  Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy.

 

#7: It brings people together.  As a volunteer you assist in:
   • Uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal
   • Bulding camaraderie and teamwork

 

#8: Volunteers gain professional experience.  You can test out a career.

 

#9: It saves resources.  Volunteering provides valuable comminuty services so more money can be spent on local improvements.
   • The estimated value of a volunteer's time is $15.39 per hour.

 

#10: It's good for you.  Volunteering provides physical and mental rewards. It:
   • Reduces stress: Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tention-producing patterns.
   • Makes you healthier: Moods and emothions, like optimism, joy, and control over one's fate, strengthen the immne system.