For many families, groups of co-workers and friends, and individuals, volunteering is one of the most meaningful winter traditions. During the December holiday season, they may serve meals or collect food and clothing. In January, the Martin Luther King, Jr. national Day of Service is wonderful time to adopt the "day on, not a day off" mantra as a good opportunity to give back.
But the volunteering experience and the positive impact it has on the lives of others can, and should, be more than a once-a-year tradition. It should become a year-round habit that allows us to make a difference in the community while also providing personal meaning and satisfaction. The work of the nonprofits that support and shape our community is year-round, as is the chance to personally benefit from the joys of giving.
The impact of this generosity is significant. A report by the Urban Institute and the Corporation for National and Community Service estimates that volunteers contributed 8.1 billion hours in 2013, representing approximately $163 billion worth of work. Many charitable organizations increase their services when the giving tradition is most prominent — between Thanksgiving and mid-January. Volunteers often help deliver these services or take on other responsibilities, building the capacity of the charities and allowing the professional staff to serve an even greater number of people. This support, as well as the knowledge that there are people who care about the well-being of others, makes life brighter and better for everyone in our community.
Businesses that coordinate volunteer activities for their employees benefit from the good will that comes with donating their time and talent, but also by providing employees the opportunity to participate in new experiences. This may help to spark an ongoing relationship between an individual employee or team and a specific charity and strengthen relationships between colleagues through esprit de corps. By doing this, a business can serve as a catalyst and motivator for employee engagement and the development of an ethic of service, which can lead to personal and professional growth.
Businesses that are committed to their employees and the community can plan volunteer projects or days of service throughout the year, giving their staff the resources and the opportunity to more easily and more regularly share their time and talents. Nonprofits wishing for the same level of participation all 12 months of the year can consider how and where they need volunteers — while also considering what elements of the experience are most meaningful to volunteers and how it can be replicated.
Volunteerism provides people with an important sense of purpose and meaning. They can experience the joy and satisfaction of seeing how something as simple as being available for a few hours a month can make a difference in the lives of others. Countless studies have shown that those of us who volunteer regularly are healthier, happier and have a greater sense of personal fulfillment.
In our plans for the future, when we make habits of exercising, improving our financial planning, eating healthier and becoming the people we want to be, let's also make volunteering a habit.
Kelly Hodge-Williams is the executive director of Business Volunteers Maryland, which coordinates volunteer service and education for the business community and connects individuals with volunteer opportunities through its Volunteer Central program. Her email address is khodge-williams@businessvolunteersmd.org.