After our national celebration of workers this weekend, it’s a good time to think about which local organizations in our community are looking for some extra helping hands. Why should we volunteer? It’s not only for the good feeling of helping others.
Without volunteers, many programs that serve the community could not exist. In fact, start-up co-operatives like ours are volunteer-run in the beginning, and have a strong need for volunteers to help us grow our ownership so we can ultimately put “doors on the store”. We like the quote: “You don’t have to steer the ship, just help us paddle!”
There are so many benefits to volunteering. Here are just a few:
- Builds Community and Ends Loneliness and social isolation, which improves mental and physical health, brain function and lowers risk for depression and anxiety. You also improve your immune system.
- Builds Bonds and Creates Friends, closer relationships, and better connections with people when you work together.
- Reduces stress and improves well-being and self-esteem by giving you an increased sense of purpose.
- Promotes Longevity and keeps us young
- Provides Better Job Prospects as employers overwhelmingly look favorably on job applicants who have volunteered, and volunteering can often lead to a job, for those who are looking.
- Adds Fun to Your Life and can create change on a global scale. It is incredible to think that one person’s efforts can change the life of someone else somewhere in the world. However, the best part, and often overlooked is that volunteering is just plain fun.
Now that you know all the benefits, perhaps you’re considering volunteering and are not sure where to go. Well, we have you covered! Join Community Cultivators, our team of Owner volunteers. Not only do we have our own volunteer opportunities with the co-op at events like the Farmers’ Markets and our upcoming Owners meeting, we also partner with various organizations within our community. This is directly in line with co-op Principle 7: Care for the Community. Please contact Marina at marina@cultivatecommunityfood.coop for more information and to sign up to be a Community Cultivator!
Source: adapted from https://www.thebalancesmb.com/unexpected-benefits-of-volunteering-4132453