The Lasting Impact of Volunteers
Volunteers play a purposeful role in improving lives and strengthening communities.
What makes an effective volunteer?
Volunteers are dependable and consistent in their commitment to the organization(s) they serve. They show up and forget about themselves. An effective volunteer is passionate and motivated, with the desire to make a positive impact. Their enthusiasm helps inspire others. They can adapt to new situations or tasks. Volunteers who collaborate effectively contribute significantly to the success of a mission. A great volunteer is empathetic and compassionate, understanding the needs of those they serve and striving to minister to them with sensitivity and concern.
Why is volunteering important to families?
As a young teenager, I would volunteer at a long-term care facility where my mother worked as a nurse. I would spend most of my time in and around the activities center, playing games and doing crafts with the residents. I would enjoy listening to unforgettable memories of their lives and thinking about the life lessons they would share with me. It was a sacrifice of my time, but I was receiving the blessing.
Our family would also volunteer together there. When she was not working on the floor as a nurse, my mom would play her guitar and sing. My brothers and I were her backup singers. We would sing for Christmas, we would sing hymns, and sometimes, we would sing songs that were popular many years ago. Seeing them sing along with that sparkle in their eyes and with joy radiating from their hearts was one of the most rewarding feelings.
Volunteering allowed our family to spend quality time together and create lasting memories. Volunteering instilled in me important values like empathy, giving of oneself, and responsibility. My heart for serving others as a volunteer carried into my adult life and helped influence my desire to volunteer overseas and later serve as a foreign missionary.
Families who volunteer together set a positive example for their children, showing them the importance of helping others and making a positive impact in the community. It provides a unique perspective on challenges others face, creating a sense of gratitude and humility. Volunteering can help families become more involved in their communities, creating opportunities to meet new people, build relationships, and contribute to local causes. Volunteers play an essential role in building stronger, more resilient communities. Their contributions help organizations provide vital services and support those in need.
Fredericksburg, Stafford, and surrounding areas are full of volunteer opportunities, including food banks, youth mentor programs, faith-based nonprofit organizations, shelters, senior living, animal causes, and environmental conservation initiatives, to name a few. Whether you’re a long-time volunteer or new to giving back to others, April is the perfect time to get involved and make a meaningful difference.
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Looking for somewhere to volunteer? Try a quick search online or check out our charity feature each month for local organizations making a difference right here in our backyard!