The Benefits of Volunteering

I have been involved with community service since I was a young girl. It is just something my family has always participated in. My Mom always said that we (my family) would not be where we are today with out the help of the church and the community, so we have got to do the same for others.

What is so cool about community service and volunteering is that it is fun! There is a just a great feeling inside that one gets when helping another, and you make some great friends along the way. That's what I find so unique about volunteering...you think you are the one making a difference, but in turn your life is changed too.

Here are some great reasons to volunteer...even if it is just one hour a week!

- Twenty-four million children ages 5-14 spend unsupervised time during out-of-school hours. These hours represent time that could be spent volunteering. (American Youth Policy Forum)

- 73% of America's 60 million young people believe they can make a difference in their communities. (Do Something Young People's Involvement Survey /Princeton Survey Research, 1998)

- Teenagers volunteer 2.4 billion hours annually. (Independent Sector/Gallup, 1996) [That could be so much more with your help!]

- Teenage service is worth $34.3 billion to the US economy. (Independent Sector/Gallup, 1999 value of service)

- Youth who volunteer just one hour a week are 50% less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or engage in destructive behavior. (Search Institute, 1995)

- Youth who volunteer are more likely to do well in school, graduate, vote, and be philanthropic. (UCLA/Higher Education Research Institute, 1991)

All of these statistics show that volunteering can help not only the people we are directly serving; but it can also help us live happier lives and can benefit the economy too! So what are you waiting for? Go out and get started!