The holiday season is a magical time of year, and not solely because of the snow hanging on tree boughs or the strains of familiar songs. The season is a time when, despite the increased stress, people think of and reach out to each other.
Charities worthy of donations, both locally and around the nation, would be too numerous to list in one place. Plenty of organizations accomplish much with few resources and can always put more money to good use.
There is another option for those who would like to help out, but whose pocketbooks have been stretched over the past year. Volunteering for an organization is an effective way to make a positive difference.
Groups need volunteers now more than ever. According to the most recent statistics from the US Department of Labor, about 27 percent of Americans volunteered in 2006, a drop of about 2 percent from the three years prior.
Of course, the benefits of volunteering extend both to recipients and volunteers. A study from the Corporation for National and Community Service found volunteers on average live longer and report higher levels of happiness, life-satisfaction and health.
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Older adults tend to benefit even more from the effects of volunteerism. Volunteering gives retired individuals a chance to leave the house and socialize with others in the community. Groups tend to highly value senior volunteers, as their collected wisdom can be put to good use in leadership positions.
Volunteers should pick a cause they are passionate about to gain the maximum benefit and avoid losing interest. Organizations and volunteer opportunities exist for nearly any interest, from working in nature to spending time with kids.
The most common reason given for not volunteering is a lack of time. But volunteers do not need to dedicate all their waking hours to a cause (although many find the rewards addicting). A few hours per month can make a huge difference. The average volunteer spends about one hour a week donating their time.
This holiday season, consider giving the gift of time to an organization. It's priceless for both charities and the volunteers who serve them.
