The Benefits of Volunteering

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A common misconception about volunteering is that it only helps the cause. Often times that aspect is the only part that is highlighted when the topic of donating time comes up. There is a different side of volunteering though. Many volunteers donate their time to help better the community they live in and the people that live in it. When they choose to do this they not only help others but they are also helping better themselves. Volunteering benefits a person by building connections with peers, improving family life, expanding career skills, overcoming self doubt, having lasting life impressions, and creating new opportunities.
Many people only communicate with friends and acquaintances that they see every day. This means that often many people only talk to co-workers or fellow students. Even those that attend a place of worship or participate in a sport or hobby still limit the amount of people they include in their conversations. This often limits social circles and activities that a person is active in. While volunteering, someone may meet up to as many as twenty or more people in less than an hour. Participating in a small talk with a stranger that shares the same interests and is working towards the same cause might turn out to end up being more than just a conversation. The conversation may lead to a friendship. A fun way to bond with already existing friends and family may be to bring them along on project. Friends and relatives get to partake in the activity while realizing how eye opening everything can be. “One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together.” (Saisan, Smith, and Kemp) A volunteer can also help improve their already existing rela...

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... better. They realize that people actually care how they look at themselves. They also realize that there is hope and they can change their present and future by allowing outside help. The volunteer then realizes that they too are needed. Without them, not as many lives would be changed and there would not be as big of difference. “There’s nothing more fulfilling than realizing how much of an impact a volunteer can make.” (Cox)
Volunteering benefits a person by building connections with peers, improving family life, expanding career skills, overcoming self doubt, having lasting life impressions, and creating new opportunities. Just a small act can make a huge difference in someone’s life. The future is dependent on the individual person and the people they surround themselves with. Just a few hours will change both the volunteer’s life and the one that is in need.

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