With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community – and the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. The right match can help you to find friends, connect with the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career.
Consider these proven benefits of volunteering:
- Volunteering connects you to others – One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. It strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities.
- Volunteering is good for your mind and body – The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being. Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person. Working with pets and other animals has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
- Volunteering can advance your career – If you’re considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your area of interest and meet people in the field. Even if you’re not planning on changing careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, and organization. You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings at work once you’ve honed these skills in a volunteer position first. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations or networking that could benefit your career.
- Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life The Campaign to End Loneliness says that close to 45 percent of people in the US and the UK admit to feeling lonely. On top of that, one in ten adults reports that they have no close friends. Loneliness and social isolation are two of the most severe epidemics in the world today. The simplest way to reverse this? Volunteer! Giving to others can also help protect your mental and physical health. It can reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose.
While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day. Giving in even simple ways can help those in need and improve your health and happiness.
Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer in Ardmore! As we approach the holiday season especially, many organizations and nonprofits need volunteers in order to fundraise, host events, or provide for those in need.
Here at the Chamber of Commerce, we are preparing for our annual Festival of Lights Auction. Since its inception, the auction has raised over $175,000 through the Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which is reinvested directly into the expansion and maintenance of the drive through display at Regional Park.
The auction helps keep the Festival updated, running, and fun for the whole family. We are putting together a committee of volunteers to help reach out to local businesses, request donations for the auction, and help at the event to keep things running smoothly.
Can you help us?
We are planning a coordination meeting at the Chamber of Commerce building on Wednesday, October 2nd at 4:00 PM. Please email jshelton@ardmore.org or call 580-223-7765 prior to the meeting if you would like to volunteer.