Northfield, MN - A new study estimates the dollar value of U.S. volunteer labor of nearly $169 billion. Some volunteers say that the experience is priceless to them.
One of my newer volunteer efforts focuses on bringing a wholesale food buying program to my community. That is one reason a new report caught my eye this week. The second most common volunteer activity reported is collecting or distributing food.
The Corporation for National and Community Service released a report on Volunteering in America 2010. Across the country, 63.4 million Americans volunteered to help their communities in 2009. This was an additional 1.6 million volunteers when compared to 2008. Their contribution of 8.1 billion hours of service has an estimated dollar value of nearly $169 billion.
Who is volunteering?
Approximately 1.6 million more volunteers served in 2009 than in 2008, making this the largest single-year increase in the number of volunteers since 2003.
The increase was primarily fueled by higher volunteer rates among women, especially women ages 45-54; among individuals who are married; and among those who were employed, especially individuals working full-time.
The national report includes anecdotes about people volunteering. A few that caught my eye were:
Volunteering for the Hungry
- Tiffany graduated with a law degree and wanted practical experience to build her resume. She spent a year working with children of incarcerated parents.
- John sits at a computer all day for his regular job. At night, he finds joy in sitting around a group of wounded and disabled soldiers playing Texas Holdem.
- Sarah went from a front-line volunteer on issues of hunger and homelessness to an advocate. She now speaks to other youth.
What do volunteers do?
There are hundreds of activities that rely on volunteerism. The top four activities for service across the country are:
- fundraising-with 26.6 percent of volunteers
- collecting or distributing food with 23.5 percent,
- providing general labor or transportation with 20.5 percent, and
- tutoring or teaching with 19.0 percent.
Why do volunteers spend time and money in service to others?
The report suggests that when times are hard people band together to help one another. Maybe it is a survival instinct. Some of the reasons that I and others are active volunteers include:
- See a need and know that you can help
- Want to interact more with other people
- Build your resume or professional network
- It is interesting and you learn while doing it
- It is fun
Please Comment:
Why do you volunteer? What do you do? What value does it have for you?
Leadership development expert & consultant, Donna Rae Scheffert helps propel people toward their goals easier, faster, and with more fun. Sign up for a RSS feed and read more from Donna Rae at Online-Leadership-Tools. Follow Donna Rae on Twitter or LinkedIn.
This article is the copywritten property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media.
REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
