The holidays present wonderful times to get out and volunteer, all with the opportunity to help the community and fellow residents. From ringing bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign to Giving Tuesday to helping with the Trail of Lights to lending a hand with the myriad of seasonal events on the horizon, there is a lot to be done.

What? You don’t volunteer? Well, now is also the ideal time to give it a whirl. 

No man or woman is an island. We sometimes take for granted the community in which we live. People and societies co-depend on each other for survival but growth of such things as commercialism are seeing traditional values being disregarded. 

Volunteering is ultimately about helping others and having an impact on people’s wellbeing. What better way is there to connect with your community and give a little back? As a volunteer, you certainly return to society some of the benefits that society gives you. 

Fundamentally, volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely. Unlike many things in life there is choice involved in volunteering. 

As a volunteer you have made a decision to help on your own accord, free from pressure to act from others. 

Volunteers predominantly express a sense of achievement and motivation, and this is ultimately generated from your desire and enthusiasm to help. Volunteerism also helps you stay feeling young at heart.

Sometimes volunteers are regarded as do-gooders and those that hold that view also assume that one person can never make a difference. It may be true that no one person can solve all the world’s problems, but what you can do is make that little corner of the world where you live just that little bit better. 

We should also bring our children along and encourage them to volunteer as well. When kids get involved at a young age, they are more likely to volunteer when they become adults.

There are all kinds of reasons to jump in and help. You can build a resume or plump-up a scholarship application, test drive a new career opportunity, and meet new people and have new life experiences.

It is all good.

Volunteer, your community needs you.

Dale Hogg