When Do I Start Volunteering?

Time, talent and treasure are three aspects of volunteering; a selfless act of an individual of any age contributes to helping another person or persons without expecting monetary compensation in return. Volunteerism in the US holds an interesting fact. While it is something most anyone could do, only 25% of the population choose to do so. The map indicates volunteerism is more prominent in some states over other states. What state do you reside in?

https://usafacts.org/articles/which-states-volunteer-the-most/

According to The Corporation for the National & Community Service, one in four Americans volunteers. Coming from all walks of life, nearly one-quarter of all volunteers are under the age of 24. Many of the volunteers are students working towards the service hour goal or for a grant or scholarship. There is also a high percentage of veterans who are volunteering because it is ingrained to help others, and they continue to do so.

https://www.mycouriertribune.com/special_sections/northland_family/when-is-right-time-for-kids-to-start-volunteering/article_551bca16-59ed-11ed-989d-1bbccae02e48.html

Parents and guardians who want to introduce their children to volunteerism struggle to know the proper age to begin. Many experts agree there isn’t a definitive age to get involved. In fact, no child is too young to volunteer. Joseph F. Hagan Jr. M.D., a clinical professor of pediatrics at Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, says helping out during the toddler and preschool years helps shape a child’s sense of morality. Many organizations have age requirements so the parent or guardian will need to be creative in guiding their child to volunteer. One simple suggestion could be as simple as picking flowers to give to someone to cheer them up. Starting them at a young age, they will desire to continue to help others without expectation of a reward.

https://www.parents.com/parenting/money/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities-for-kids-by-age/#:~:text=Let's%20set%20the%20record%20straight,University%20of%20Vermont%20in%20Burlington

Since there are veterans and little ones volunteering with parents or guardians and students volunteering to help meet the responsibility of a goal, where are the other generations. And is there a benefit for the individual to be a volunteer? Baby Boomers and Gen X are the highest number of volunteers, and they also have a better quality of life and longer life, great social interaction, better cognitive skills and better mental and physical health.

It’s well documented that volunteerism offers many benefits to those who are recipients of the charitable work as well as the volunteers. As person who falls into one of these generations, I can attest that I have volunteered my whole life and can truly say I feel fantastic, I am driven to do more, and the rewards of the work are plentiful.

Aristotle once said the essence of life is “to serve others and do good.”

If you are already a volunteer, who could you invite to be with you? Where will you volunteer next? The benefits are rewarding, and the work is there waiting for you.