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Volunteers attribute various reasons for being a volunteer but quite often the vast majority will say that community volunteering provides them the opportunity to give back to the community for all the support the community had given them.
There are many good citizens who would love to make financial contributions to worthy causes but unfortunately their financial situation does not permit them to do so. The best possible alternative is to become volunteers and give the community their time and expertise. Whether you donate your time or money, giving back is considered to be beneficial not only to the recipients but to the volunteers themselves as the old saying goes - "It's better to give rather than receive".
There are many who volunteer because they do not have a job or had lost their job and are in the process of looking for a job. If you are considering a new career, volunteering is a smart way to gain experience in your area of interest and also meet people connected to your field of activity.
Volunteering provides people the opportunity to put their skills to good use while at the same time learn new skills. It gives them the great feeling that they are not idling but contributing in some way towards the development of the community by sharing their knowledge and expertise.
Many people on retirement find the sudden change in lifestyle, boring, monotonous and depressing unless they had planned well in advance to meet these challenges. They miss their office mates, friends and the opportunity to meet people. As a volunteer they get the opportunity to meet people, make new friends and above all to get that great feeling that society needs them, appreciates and values their services.
Quite a few take to volunteering or make large donations to charity because of their own personal experience of caring for someone near and dear to them. After being witness to people suffering with incurable deceases many people volunteer to contribute their mite in some form or the other to serve their community.
There are and numerous reasons why people want to volunteer and give of themselves. Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore what really interests you and what you are passionate about. Volunteering opportunities that match your interests will often be fulfilling and satisfying.
"Volunteering can be an exciting, growing, enjoyable experience. It is truly gratifying to serve a cause, practice one's ideals, work with people, solve problems, see benefits, and know one had a hand in them". Harriet Naylor.
Ultimately what inspires and motivates most people to volunteer is that tiny spark of love and kindness that glows within their hearts to help and serve those in need irrespective of class, color or creed. By doing this with loving kindness they derive a sense of joy and happiness.
