Volunteering reaps huge rewards for all – just consider some points to have greatest impact
May 2009
Courtesy of Family Features
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EXTREME MAKEOVER: Target team members volunteer their time to help makeover school libraries across the country.
Courtesy of Family Features
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In these tough economic times, people throughout the country are looking for innovative ways to get involved in their local communities, enrich lives and make a real difference. Fortunately for everyone, as the charitable spirit continues to spread throughout the United States, getting involved has become easier and less expensive than ever as corporations, nonprofits, schools and even our own administration have actively encouraged citizens worldwide to volunteer their free time to those who need it most.
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When it comes to volunteering, there is no right or wrong way to get involved. Rather, there are a number of ways to incorporate it into your everyday life and make it count. Here are a few small things to consider when looking for opportunities that make a big impact.
Find an employer that fosters volunteerism. Many corporations are moving toward the trend of offering their employees volunteer opportunities throughout the year. For example, team members at Target have volunteered millions of hours to community projects, from assembling and distributing disaster relief kits to reading to young people and helping makeover local school libraries. When researching a potential employer, look to see if it has an organized volunteer program. Or, if your current employer doesn’t offer a company-wide volunteer program, consider starting one.
Make it a family affair. As family vacation and activity budgets shrink, find a fun volunteer event that’s not only free but allows your family to play their part on making the world a better place. Many people find that giving to the community can be a rewarding and exciting way to instill values in children, encourage teamwork and foster a positive attitude within the home. Working together as a family is especially rewarding when you choose to support an organization that has special significance or meaning.