Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day.

When I was 13 years old, I volunteered at a Women’s Domestic Abuse Shelter.

I had never volunteered prior to anywhere and was completely nervous to do so. At first, they had me in the back putting together pamphlets for the shelter. Eventually, I moved onto the kids' playroom in front of the main building.

A couple of days into my new position, we had quite the scare at the shelter.

A man kicked in the front door to the office and made his way to my room demanding his children. He was screaming and had his hands in fists. All the kids ran to the back of the room and I stayed in front of them. Before I could react, the staff came in and told him they were on the phone with the police and he better leave. He huffed and puffed, but eventually left…the kids still were frightened behind me.

That wasn’t my rewarding experience there, though it was obviously my scariest. What was rewarding is what came after that.

I was told by one of the children, how that wasn’t the first time something like that had happened. And also how safe they felt at the shelter. And something just clicked in my head. See, I had volunteered there for a multitude of personal reasons. I also told myself I wouldn’t get attached to anyone there.

But, I did. After that incident, I wanted to help these kids (and women) feel less stressed. Feel normal. I wanted to make a difference more so than I had been. I wanted to be more open to this experience. And after that day, it wasn’t hard to do so.

I loved those kids. I loved seeing their faces when I read to them. I loved how open they became with me. I enjoyed putting on a bunny costume for Easter for them. I played with them. Fed them. And I loved how it made me feel.

Volunteering at that shelter was so rewarding and memorable.

It’s amazing how one person can make a difference in a child’s or another person’s life. No matter how big or small that difference is, it’s important I believe to try.

Yes, VOLUNTEERING is a great and powerful thing. Not only does it get you off the couch in order to do something positive with your time, but it can also have a pretty huge impact on your career and job search. You won’t regret it. I’d certainly do it again.

Volunteering is important for numerous reasons which benefit both the community and the volunteers themselves. When someone donates a handful of time, the difference made is tremendous and it can shape a community for the better while the experience improves the person who have donated the time.

Volunteering is a kind of activity what makes a community because it brings people together to work on a goal. Whether it is a fundraiser for the research to cure a disease affecting the whole world, or to help a local family who has fallen in a time of calamity, volunteers do make it happen. Community life is improved by aiding others and lending a helping hand to get a job done more efficiently. More people working means less work for each person and saving time for the project. So when it comes to getting the job done, like a community clean up, the more the merrier.

When a person donates their time, they give hope to someone who needs it. If a local family’s house burnt down and a group of people hosted a benefit for them, that family’s faith would be revived when they realized that people care for them. Although that family lost their house and their assets, seeing how their own community wants to help would bring them joy and show them that money isn’t everything.

A volunteer also benefits themselves because they get to see how their contribution has made a difference. This experience contributes to personal development especially in some areas such as self-fulfillment, self-confidence, and self-esteem which often flourish in the midst of volunteering experiences. The selfless act of volunteering also provides a spiritual enhancement. Knowing that you made a positive impact on someone is an emotionally uplifting experience that can never be matched by money or fame.

Donating time now will also help in the future. Volunteering strengthens present skills and also shows an employer that an effort has been made to make an improvement. Such skills include communication skills, ability to work with others, ability to take direction and lead others, time management and dedication. Employers will realize that as a volunteer you must be able to prioritize your schedule so as to devote time for activities that benefit others. When employers see active volunteer work on a resume, they are much more likely to employ that person rather than someone who doesn’t do voluntary work. Employers know that most people who offer their time are conscientious, honest and hardworking individuals.

These are just a few reasons why volunteering is important. Not only does it bring hope and happiness to people, but it also leads to spiritual and personal growth. It is an experience that cannot be bought with any amount of money.