When 'life' seems to be rushing all around you, volunteering is a meaningful way to slow it all down and connect with others. It's not just about filling a need - it’s about making an impact, sharing what we have, and discovering a sense of purpose. Whether it’s lending a hand to a neighbor or supporting a larger cause, the act of giving transforms both the giver and the receiver.
Volunteering is fulfilling in a way that money can’t buy. Volunteering is about creating connections, helping others realize their potential, and guiding them toward fulfilling their purpose. Many of those interviewed for The Community Positive Project shared about the impact volunteering had on their personal lives and current careers. In this post, we'll hear their insights about giving back to their communities.
Sharing What You Have
Gratitude often drives people to volunteer. When we have what we need, many of us feel a pull to give back and share our blessings with others. As Annmarie, a founder and marketing strategist in California, says,
“We all have certain needs: food, clothes, and shelter. If you've been blessed to have those basic needs, share them with others."
Volunteering allows us to share whatever we have - whether it's time, resources, or simply a listening ear.
Annmarie also touches on a truth about what people seek in life: “I think every person is searching for love or meaning. If you want that thing that everybody wants, you must also be willing to give it.” Love, meaning, and connection grow stronger when we share them, and volunteering gives us a unique opportunity to spread these qualities to others.
The beauty of volunteering is that it’s not just about donating money - it’s about giving time, attention, and energy to help others.
Tabitha, an outreach services supervisor from Texas, shares how her parents instilled this value in her:
“At times growing up, my parents weren’t always able to donate money to the organizations they cared about, but they taught us that if we couldn’t give with our treasure, we could give our time.”
Her experience is a reminder that time and effort can be just as valuable, if not more, as financial contributions.
The Heart of Service
For many, the desire to volunteer is rooted in a deep passion for helping others. Candice, a Texas city manager, reflects on this drive:
“I've always wanted to serve. I was active in my church and did a lot of mission trip activities growing up. I always knew I wanted to do something where I was giving back and helping to improve someone's life."
Candice’s story is familiar to many volunteers who have carried a passion for service throughout their lives, knowing they were meant to give back.
Mark, a city administrator in Washington, also learned the value of giving back early in life. He explains how his family’s involvement in their community shaped his worldview:
"I learned, mostly through my mother, the importance of being involved. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we always tried to give our time or resources to help others."
For Mark, volunteering was a way of life - a value passed down from his family.
A Path to Fulfillment
For many, volunteering is not just something they do on the side - it’s become an integral part of who they are. Julia, an urban planner in Arkansas, explains:
"I've always wanted a career that helped people in some way. I've always been an idealist and believe that my life is only fulfilled if I am helping others."
Julia’s outlook on life shows how volunteering and service align with her core values, giving her life meaning.
Kay, a Texas community activist, started volunteering through her church and youth activities:
"I started with kids' activities and church, vacation bible school, and summer camps. We volunteered to go with our church overseas, on a mission trip where I oversaw different things with the kids."
For Kay, volunteering provided the chance to lead and inspire others, particularly children.
Volunteering offers more than just the satisfaction of helping others - it’s also good for personal well-being. As Shana, a nonprofit chief program officer in Arkansas, points out,
"When we are focused not just on ourselves, but when we are doing something, volunteering, or serving in some capacity, there are some mental, social, and physical health benefits to that."
The connections formed and the sense of purpose gained from volunteering enrich not only the community but also the lives of those who serve.
Getting Started with Volunteering
For those new to volunteering, it’s important to remember that getting started doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Carlos, a nonprofit director in Texas, offers this advice for those interested in making a difference:
"Start simple and do a community cleanup. It just takes the coordination of getting some people to come out to help you. That would be something simple to get your feet wet... It only takes your time."
Starting small with projects like this is a great way to ease into volunteering without feeling overcommitted.
Martha, a neighborhood volunteer and fellow Texan, advises new volunteers to begin with something they enjoy:
"Get involved with something you love. Start out volunteering for one or two hours. See if you like it, but just remember to start small and don't think you have to jump in and do everything. Every little bit will help!"
Volunteering is most meaningful when it aligns with personal interests and values. MiShon, a CEO and diversity professional based in Texas, suggests:
"Find something that you're passionate about and do something with it. I think it's easier if you're passionate about it. Then it won't necessarily feel like work, and you'll be more committed to it."
Volunteering feels less like an obligation when you are doing something you truly care about.
Tabitha emphasizes the importance of volunteering for those interested in community engagement or volunteer management:
"If you want to work in community engagement, become a volunteer. You'll be able to network and meet people from other organizations to help open doors in the future. People will appreciate that you started as a volunteer as you progress in your career."
Volunteering not only helps others - it can also be a stepping-stone to career opportunities and professional growth.
The Lasting Impact of Volunteering
The impact of volunteering goes far beyond completing a task or helping out for a few hours. Frank, a nonprofit board member and community advocate in Indiana, highlights the importance of finding the right fit for each volunteer:
"I’ve learned that people want to volunteer, but not everybody can sing in the choir. As leaders, it’s important to help people find out what their strengths and passions are and then put them in those areas to try them out."
Matching volunteers with the right role makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone and leads to greater success.
Volunteering also brings people together in ways they might not expect. Martha shares how volunteering can create connections that might not otherwise happen:
"When you volunteer, you meet people from different walks of life you might not usually meet. Sometimes, it's just the neighbor who's lived next door to you for years, but when there's a crisis, you meet, talk, communicate, and discover things about them that you didn't know."
Volunteering helps people form bonds and build stronger communities.
Proud Texan and lead pastor, Tim, explains how volunteering benefits the individual as much as the community:
"I can't think of one thing I've done in the community that didn't give me that deep satisfaction. It’s addictive, and I want to do more. I want to do as much as possible."
Volunteering also creates a deep sense of fulfillment and joy, which drives people to keep giving.
Conclusion: The Ripple Effect of Volunteering
Volunteering isn’t just about the immediate tasks at hand; it’s about making a lasting impact on both the community and you. As Frank wisely notes,
“Everyone has value. And that value is appreciated more when you take it and offer it to someone else."
Volunteering is something anyone can do, no matter where you live, work, or your resources. Whether you’ve been volunteering for years or are just starting, there’s always an opportunity to give back.
So, find something that inspires you, start small, and watch as your efforts create a ripple effect that makes the world a better place for everyone.
Additional Resources
Find new opportunities to volunteer in and around your community (PLUS plenty of virtual service options) with these resources:
All For Good: A volunteer-matching site owned by Points of Light that connects individuals with local volunteer opportunities. Users can search for projects or create their initiatives to engage the community. The platform also allows organizations to easily share their opportunities.
Catchafire: Specializes in connecting skilled professionals with nonprofits in need of specific expertise, such as marketing or web design. This platform allows organizations to post detailed projects and find volunteers who can offer pro bono services, making it ideal for nonprofits seeking specialized skills.
Create the Good: Operated by AARP, Create the Good offers a simple way for individuals to find volunteer opportunities that match their interests. There are no limits on project postings, making it suitable for both small and large organizations looking for support.
GozAround: Combines volunteering with gamification, enabling users to track their hours and set goals while connecting with local opportunities that match their skills and interests. It encourages sharing experiences to promote causes within communities.
Idealist: A resource for finding volunteer and job opportunities, with over 120,000 organizations listed. While job postings require payment, posting volunteer opportunities is free. Idealist attracts around 2 million visitors monthly, making it an excellent platform for nonprofits seeking volunteers.
JustServe: Helps individuals find local volunteer opportunities by allowing them to search based on location and interests. The platform also highlights success stories from past events, showcasing the impact of volunteer work in communities.
VolunteerMatch: A leading online platform that connects volunteers with nonprofit organizations. It features over 100,000 registered nonprofits and allows users to filter opportunities by cause and location. The basic membership is free, offering access to a broad network of volunteering options.
These platforms provide valuable resources for both volunteers and organizations seeking support.