Being a friend, parent, and co-worker is really a form of volunteering. It’s the little things we do each day for others that matter. Most consider volunteering to be charitable acts such as helping out at a soup kitchen, donating clothes, or providing food to those in need. However volunteering shouldn’t just be an act we do once a year. Instead we should strive to be caring to each other on a daily basis.

I don't think it's a choice of it we want to volunteer or not but rather where we're going to do it and to what extreme.

The idea of volunteering is a turn off to most people, and then if an individual decides to donate his or her time as a volunteer it is often challenging to obtain information or instructions.

I hear excuse after excuse when I try to get someone to come volunteer with me. Some feel unqualified stating “I don’t know what to do,” while others worry the cost of a donation will be to steep for their budget. Many are afraid it will take too much time out of their day or claim they suffer from a lack of knowledge in regards to the organization.

The one excuse that bothers me the most is, “what’s in it for me”. When you volunteer you’re giving your time to someone else. The focus of the act is not on you, but on the other individual. But for the people who need that personal benefit, good news, there are quite a few.

• Volunteering opens up a world of possibilities which may lead to self discovery. You will often meet new and unexpected friends along the way while also becoming part of a larger movement.
• Gaining Perspective on Your Own Troubles; no matter how hard you think your life is, you can always find someone who can benefit from your help. Getting out of our personal problems for a while is healthy and therapeutic. It helps us to gain perspective on the world in which we live and encourage us to continue to volunteer.
• Having Fun! Just go have a good time.

I’ve never really stopped to think why I volunteer; I just always thought everyone was supposed to give back. Each person finding a way that works for them. I plan to keep finding new things I can do and exploring new ways in which I can give back to my community.

I currently volunteer with Compeer. They work with people who have mental health challenges and match them with volunteer friends and mentors. Three years ago when I started this program and was matched with a young boy. The day I first met him, he was running around his house a perfect insight into his high energy that constantly keeps me on my toes. I am so grateful to have him in my life. After working with this boy I looked to expand my experience in this program and asked to be matched with an adult. My adult match is such a sweetheart and always opens my eyes to a different way to think. It is very rewarding to spend time with these amazing people, and I hope that I am helping them in some way. We go on great adventures, drink way to many milkshakes, and have pretty snazzy conversations. This has become a very important part of my life, I don’t plan of ever stopping.

The future of volunteering is bright. However, change is hard and talk is cheap. So the status quo won't be easy to change. But we can make a difference if we stop spending so much time and money convincing people they should volunteer. Instead we should spend a little bit more time investing in our communities and the individuals which need a little love from a friend.