Submitted by Lutheran Hillside Village
Ok – you’re thinking about it. You might even have dared to say it out loud—but what’s in it for you when volunteering? Maybe it seems a little bit too self-centered or makes the act of volunteering seem less idealistic. But in reality, volunteering is a great benefit to you. Rather than sweeping your feelings of self-satisfaction, accomplishment, and life-improvement under the rug, let’s celebrate the benefits of volunteering.
Benefit #1 – Improve Your Health
Volunteering can be a built-in excuse to be physically active, sharpen our minds, and maintain emotional wellness. At Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria, IL, volunteers are staying active. “I have lots of volunteers who love to help transport residents to all the different activities available,” said Connie Hillier, Activity Coordinator. “They love that they are off their seat and on their feet.” Health improvement can also extend to sharpening cognitive abilities through leading book discussions, or volunteer opportunities in teaching technology and improves overall emotional wellness.
From a national survey of over 3,000 adults, the United Health Group found overwhelmingly from participants the positive effects of volunteering.
- 76 percent of people who volunteered in the last twelve months said that volunteering has made them feel healthier
- 94 percent of people who volunteered in the last twelve months said that volunteering improved their mood
- 78 percent of them said that volunteering lowered their stress levels
- 96 percent reported that volunteering enriched their sense of purpose in life
- 80 percent of them feel like they have control over their health
- About a quarter of them reported that their volunteer work has helped them manage a chronic illness by keeping them active and taking their minds off of their own problems
Benefit #2 – Get Connected
Whether you’ve just moved to the Peoria area or are looking to expand your social circle, volunteering is a great way to get connected. If you find it hard to meet new people, there’s nothing easier then “breaking the ice” while calling Bingo, assisting at a special event, or playing a board game with an older adult.
Organizations make it easy to connect with others through volunteering. They want you to have a relationship with those who you are serving and those you are serving with. People with all different backgrounds, gifts, ideas, hobbies and likes come together to make a difference and give you the opportunity to branch out. This could also extend to developing new professional relationships. Who knows—maybe your next job opportunity will start from volunteering?!
Benefit #3 – Transfer or Learn New Skills
Free training on a new skill can be one of the best perks of partnering with an organization. Organizations work with you to either learn new skills or translate existing skills as a volunteer.
Lutheran Hillside Village has seen a lot of learned skills used to benefit their community. “We have a woodshop here and we have a lot of volunteers who help teach other residents who then go on to pass their skills to other residents,” said Hillier. “I’ve also had some who’ve discovered they have a great artistic talent and used that to help make props for variety shows.”
The opportunities extend to those who have spent countless hours in music lessons and use their gifts to entertain residents, an adult who has spent many years managing an office to coordinate a special event, and a garden-enthusiast who assists in taking care of the flowers. The organization recognizes the value you bring and will work with you to provide all the tools needed.
So “What’s in it for you?” Lots of opportunities to not only partner with an organization that you care about but also gain great experiences. It’s an ok question to ask and there are some amazing organizations that would love to help you gain the benefits when you give.
Ready to jump in and start gaining the benefits of volunteering? Visit LSSLIVING.org/volunteering or call Ellyn Book at Lutheran Hillside Village at 309.692.4600 to learn more on how you can make a difference!