April’s President’s Message
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. Heather French Henry said, “Volunteering is the very core of being human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.” There were over 60.7 million adult volunteers in the world who volunteered 4.1 billion hours valued at $122.9 billion in 2022. Eighty-five percent of volunteers donated to the non-profits they volunteer with. Seventy-seven percent work with only one organization. Sixty-six percent do it to improve their community, 35% to socialize and 83% to contribute to a cause they care about. 30.7 % are baby boomers, 28.2 % are millennials and 24.9% are the silent generation. I was watching “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, and it reminded me of a quote from Audrey Hepburn. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.”
Did you know, that according to statistics, people who volunteer over one hundred hours a year are some of the healthiest in the U.S.? It improves health, mood, lessens stress, and decreases the likelihood of having high blood pressure. Ninety-six percent of volunteers report the actions enriched their lives.
Where do you fit in? What statistic speaks to you? I just wanted to thank each of you for the many gifts you share as volunteers. You are spreading the seeds of love everywhere you go to children in our community with your sharing of your time and talents. Some of you take on the job of sorting and pricing items in our Thrift Shop, while others help children buy new clothing at Penney’s. Some of you focus on one area while others wear multiply hats. Everyone donates their time in the area that best fits their abilities. And it all blends together in a lovely garden. “Plants seeds of happiness, hope, success and love; it will all come back to you in abundance, this is the law of nature.” Steve Maraboli.
Posted 04/28/2024
