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Hail Volunteering!By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH, National Volunteer Week is April 15-21. Who said: “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” “We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.” “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” “No man can ever become rich without himself enriching others.” “Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love for one another.” (In order of presentation: Booker T. Washington, Aesop, Winston Churchill, Margaret Mead, Andrew Carnegie, Erma Bombeck) The statements above should not come as a surprise to anyone who has ever volunteered, as you know the benefits that are gained through helping others. But for those of you who have never volunteered, there are documented health benefits (through social science research) to you that come from volunteering. We don’t usually think of volunteering as a way to help ourselves. Isn’t it the recipient of your time that is supposed to benefit? While it is true that your help does benefit the recipient, social science research has also demonstrated the personal health benefits gained from volunteering. Volunteering can increase your overall sense of well-being. It can increase your level of happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and sense of control over your life. It has also been shown to decrease depression and improve sleep. Sometimes, life changes, such as a death, a divorce or the empty-nest syndrome can leave us feeling empty, lonely or depressed. Volunteering gets you away from those feelings for a while and helps you to view your life in a broader context. It can help you to become more social and less isolated. There have also been some studies done on volunteering and its effect on chronic pain. Research has shown that volunteering can lessen or alleviate chronic pain. How this works is not known, but some study participants relate that volunteering gives them a sense of connection to others and a purpose for themselves. Perhaps this connection and purpose leaves less time to focus on self. Volunteering can also help you gain entry to a new profession or field. You might learn new skills or learn about a different profession. Some career counselors recommend volunteering as a first step into workforce re-entry. Many employers will hire a person with volunteer experience over someone who has no volunteer experience. No matter what your reason for volunteering, you will undoubtedly reap great rewards from the experience. If you are interested in volunteering, but don’t know where to start, try contacting: churches, your town’s human services department, senior centers, local civic organizations, libraries, schools, hospitals or nursing homes. You could also contact InfoLine, 211 or call the Volunteer Center of Greater New Haven, 562-1854. People volunteering together become “people power” are sometimes the sole reason something gets accomplished! Quinnipiack Valley Health District thanks our dedicated volunteers who help every year with our flu immunization program. Our gratitude goes to Pat Buonpane, Cindy Frost, Ann Levison, Adrienne and Ray Luycks, and Fran Notaro. Couldn’t do it without you! For free written information on this topic, District residents (Hamden, North Haven and Woodbridge) can call QVHD, 203.248.4528. Or you can request information online or through email, dculligan@qvhd.org
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Quinnipiack Valley Health District |
Phone. (203)248-4528 |
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