10 Benefits of Volunteering

A lot of people volunteer because they have to for a requirement at work or school, or because they feel like they “owe” someone who helped them at one time or another. While these are legitimate ways to volunteer, there are plenty of other reasons to donate your time and energy into a worthy cause or project. Here are just ten benefits to being a volunteer.

10. It adds meaning to your life. I’m not saying that you are an existentialist cave dweller who needs human interaction (though you could be, of course, just taking a break from your linear cave wall art creating and pondering nothingness for a quick cup of joe and e-mail break…), but many people have found huge rewards and added meaning through volunteering. You don’t have to dedicate years to the Peace Corps for this feeling, either (though feel free!); just by regularly helping a classroom, hospital or animal shelter out, you will likely begin to feel as if you are part of something bigger than yourself.

9. You can get inspired. Are you a writer, an artist, or other creative being? According to Julia Cameron, we all are. You can help fill up your “well,” or get new ideas and inspiration, from your volunteering. A weekend at a senior citizen’s home may move you to create a documentary on the relationships and contributions of older people; volunteering at the pound might make you want to write a book on the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

8. You can build your resume. It’s true that colleges, companies and other places you have to sell yourself to for admittance take a look beyond academics, so having a few volunteer experiences listed can always help. Plus, it shows that you are willing to work for free—and what modern company isn’t interested in someone like that? In fact, one survey indicates that 74% of employers would hire someone who volunteers over someone who doesn’t!

7. Volunteering can make you healthier. Yes, it can be a boost to self-esteem and spirituality, but it can literally improve your health, too. By volunteering for national charity walks, marathons, bike-a-thons and other physical activities, you can lose pounds and stay in shape while you train and participate. Trying to lose weight? Have sponsors donate per pound lost rather than per mile or time run. Helping older people with chores, doing the lawn for a hospice, and even caring for young children can all help you stay in shape as well.

6. Helping others heals. And it doesn’t just heal “others,” it heals YOU! Scientists have found that people can overcome grief and find healing in volunteer work.

5. Travel the world. There are tons of opportunities to teach, build, and support communities in countries all over the world. Many of these will pay your way and even include a stipend.

4. Be a part of your community. Remember the old days when people helped each other out, borrowed a cup of sugar and sat on the stoop sharing stories at night? Me neither! But you can encourage such a thing by getting involved in your local area and making friends.

3. Gain new interests. I learned about folk music, politics, teaching and myself from volunteering. There are endless opportunities to learn from volunteer experiences!

2. Get new skills. I didn’t learn spreadsheets through school—I sort-of-learned-them while volunteering for a hospice. I also learned many organizing, leadership, parenting, and caretaking roles all through different volunteer jobs I did. These are things you aren’t even paying to learn—a gift in today’s world of expensive education!

1. You get to leave a little bit of yourself behind. Isn’t that the dream of everyone at some point or another—to be remembered, to make an impact? While you may not win an Oscar or a Nobel Peace Prize (though you just might…!) for your work as a volunteer, you will win the affection and appreciation of the people you are helping—and trust me, they will remember you.