This week marks the 68th National Volunteer Week in Canada, and it's got me thinking about volunteering: what counts, who does it and why.
The Wikipedia definition of volunteering is "the practice of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and services."
With that definition in mind, I think you'd have a hard time finding anyone who doesn't volunteer. Have you ever mowed your neighbour's lawn when they couldn't get to it? Have you ever watched your friend's kids just because they needed a break? Have you ever brought a meal to a friend or taken the time to listen when someone needed to talk? I bet you can tick at least one of these off your list. If so, you're a volunteer, provided you didn't ask for payment for your good deed.
Of course, there are the more conventional volunteers who come to mind: the coaches who give their time and expertise to teach others; the Parents Advisory Council volunteers who fundraise for every need brought forward and bring programs and initiatives to our schools to benefit students; the noble volunteers of the Lions Club, Elves Club, Rotary, Kinsmen and Knights of Columbus;and the volunteer firefighters who pledge to train hard and respond at a moment's notice when the pager beeps.
A quick Google search showed the following volunteer causes: children, seniors, churches, animals, nature, health, justice, arts and culture, hospice, literacy, the food bank, preserving history, sports, special events and support groups and services.
A browse of the Sunshine Coast Volunteer and Information Centre shows more than 350 groups looking for volunteers locally in every category mentioned above. There is a plethora of places to give of one's time and energy, but why do it? We all have responsibilities at home or at work, and if you're anything like me, you've got a full plate already.
I posed the question to my co-workers, friends and family, and here's a look at what some of them said.
My sister volunteers for children and animal causes because neither has a voice and she feels we need to be that voice. My co-worker Allie volunteers for the Sunshine Coast Youth Outreach because she believes in prevention and harm reduction, and if something as small as talking to someone can help, she feels like she's done something worthwhile. My friend Genevieve volunteers for the hot lunch program at our school because it supports the school, keeps her involved, and she has fun hanging out with other moms. My friend Jane volunteers her time with children because she sees a need and notes that many hands make light work.
As for me, I volunteer at my daughter's school and my church. I volunteer at the school because I want to make it the best school possible for my daughter, and without the strength of volunteers behind school activities and initiatives, I believe many things would never come to fruition. At church, I volunteer to teach Sunday School and clean because there is a need and I felt able to fill it. But other than wanting to help, volunteering just makes me feel good. It's nice to know you're appreciated and valued and, perhaps because I'm not paid for my effort, I get much more praise for the work I do.
Regardless of where you volunteer or why, take a little time to celebrate your effort this week, because volunteers truly do make our organizations stronger, our communities closer and our hearts a little bigger.
