The Personal Value In Volunteering by Cindy Stradling CSL. CPC

In a world where people report feeling higher levels of isolation and lack of connection, finding ways to integrate into the community is a simple way to plug in and connect. One of the most powerful ways to do this is through finding a group of people with a passion for the same things that you find interesting, important, and meaningful in your life.

One of the ways to find this group of like-minded people is to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Volunteering for a community organization or getting involved in a much larger group or organization is a wonderful want to find meaning for yourself while also interacting with people who have similar interests and passions.

Interesting Statistics in Canada

There are some interesting statistics about volunteerism in Canada. Canadians tend to be a group of people that are very open to volunteering, which allows for connections throughout communities, across the country, and even around the world.

A few of the more interesting statistics for volunteers in Canada include:

• In 2018 the number of volunteer hours was more than 2.5 million full-time employee work hours.
• Over 79% of all Canadians over the age of 15 reported participating in some type of volunteer activity in 2018. That is almost 8 out of 10 Canadians who volunteer their time on an annual basis.
• The average volunteer spends approximately 206 hours per year donating their time.
• Hospitals were the leading recipients of volunteer hours, with an average volunteer spending 111 hours per year at the facility. Places of worship were second, with 110 hours per year per volunteer.
• Sports and arts and culture were also significant sources of volunteer time with most volunteers averaging 105 and 104 hours, respectively.
• Volunteering informally, such as helping a neighbor or cleaning a public park or space, typically involved about 45 hours per year for most individuals surveyed.
• Fundraising and event organization are the two most common forms of organizational volunteering.

The Benefits of Volunteering

Regardless of the volunteer activity, there is personal value in giving back to the community. People who volunteer tend to have positive self-esteem and to have higher levels of self-confidence. They are also more connected to their community and are seen as contributing to the good of their community or organization.

Volunteering is also a way to find people who have similar interests, or to learn new skills by working with others. It is also an excellent way to set an example for those around you while having fun and enjoying your ability to help and support others.