Benefits of Volunteering

Perhaps the first and biggest benefit people get from volunteering is the satisfaction of incorporating service into their lives and making a difference in their community and country.

The intangible benefits alone—such as pride, satisfaction and accomplishment—are worthwhile reasons to serve.

When we share our time and talents, we:

• Solve problems
• Strengthen communities
• Improve lives
• Connect to others
• Transform our own lives
  
  

Research has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.

Older volunteers are the most likely to receive greater benefits from volunteering. Because they are more likely to face higher incidence of illness, volunteering provides seniors with physical and social activity and a sense of purpose at a time when their social roles are changing.

To read more about the benefits of volunteering, click here

Download: The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research