HUNTSVILLE LIVING | APRIL 2025 | 5
Top 10 Reasons to
Volunteer
Thinking of becoming a volunteer? See a list of reasons that will help you make up your mind.
HUNTSVILLE
LIVING
STAFF
PUBLISHER Lange Svehlak lsvehlak @ athensreview. com
GENERAL MANAGER Traci Gallin traci @ itemonline. com
EDITOR Brenda Poe bpoe @ itemonline. com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ashley Horton ahorton @ itemonline. com
© 2025 The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX All rights reserved Printed in the USA by Publications Press
# 10: IT’ S GOOD FOR YOU.
Volunteering provides physical and mental rewards. It: Reduces stress: Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tension-producing patterns.
Makes you healthier: Moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one’ s fate, strengthen the immune system.
# 9: IT SAVES RESOURCES.
Volunteering provides valuable community services so more money can be spent on local improvements.
The estimated value of a volunteer’ s time is $ 15.39 per hour.
# 8: VOLUNTEERS GAIN PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.
You can test out a career.
# 7: IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER. As a volunteer you assist in: Uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal Building camaraderie and teamwork
# 6: IT PROMOTES PERSONAL GROWTH AND SELF-ESTEEM.
Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy.
# 5: VOLUNTEERING STRENGTHENS YOUR COMMUNITY.
As a volunteer you help: Support families( daycare and eldercare) Improve schools( tutoring, literacy) Support youth( mentoring and after-school programs) Beautify the community( beach and park cleanups)
# 4: YOU LEARN A LOT.
Volunteers learn things like these: Self: Volunteers discover hidden talents that may change your view on your self worth. Government: Through working with local non-profit agencies, volunteers learn about the functions and operation of our government.
Community: Volunteers gain knowledge of local resources available to solve community needs.
# 3: YOU GET A CHANCE TO GIVE BACK.
People like to support community resources that they use themselves or that benefit people they care about.
# 2: VOLUNTEERING ENCOURAGES CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.
Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.
# 1: YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Every person counts!— Western Connecticut State University
Huntsville Living is published by The Huntsville Item and CNHI LLC. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | APRIL 2025 | 5