 | THE GOOD NEIGHBOR TOOL KIT: WHY VOLUNTEER? | | |||
|  Why Volunteer? Getting Started Improving Your Community Improving Yourself as a Volunteer Fundraising Working with Volunteers More Resources Directory: Links to Charitable Organizations | Volunteers unanimously agree: They receive much more than they give. Think about what you might gain, in addition to the satisfaction of having helped others. Personal Benefits of Volunteering Helping others is, of course, virtuous and noble. But what’s more is that the givers often say they benefit as much as the receivers. Here are just a few of the perks that can result from volunteering. · Giving back. "I did the numbers one time. The odds of me beating 6 million people on this planet to be born in [affluent] Scottsdale, Ariz.: I’ve won the lottery. And with that honor comes the obligation to help the people who haven’t won the lottery.”--Gil Gillenwater, 2000 Good Neighbor Award Winner · Feeling good about helping others. “If you remind people how fortunate most of them are, they are eager to share with others.”-- Ronald Phipps, 2001 Good Neighbor Award Honorable Mention · Building lifelong friendships. “We have groups of volunteers that have been together for 25 years. If someone doesn’t show up, the others call to check in and be sure their friend is OK.”--Linda Doede, director of volunteers, Chicago Botanic Garden · Finding an increased sense of purpose. Many Good Neighbor Award winners renewed their commitment to volunteerism after a personal tragedy. Even if you’re just feeling burnt out, a volunteer experience may give you a new perspective. · Learning new skills. Working for Habitat for Humanity, for instance, might help you learn light carpentry. · Setting an example. What better way to teach your children to share with others? · Health benefits. Having a focus outside real estate is a great stress reducer.--Craig Conant, 2001 Good Neighbor Award winner Business Benefits of Volunteering > | |||