Make a Difference, Volunteer!

Nowadays especially, there are a lot of people, organizations, and businesses who could use a helping hand, which makes the work of local volunteers particularly important. 

Regardless of your age, there are plenty of opportunities around to volunteer time, energy, and talents to, with personal benefits to be had because of each. Let’s go over a few reasons you should consider volunteering to be a great way to spend your time.

Why Volunteering Helps the Volunteer

Volunteering helps you forget your own problems.

Let’s face facts: we all have a lot to worry about right now. However, contributing your time and effort to a larger purpose can help to keep you from dwelling on your own problems by giving you perspective in what others are dealing with—or even that you aren’t alone in your struggles.

Not only that, but spending time volunteering can be fun, especially if it ties into your personal interests. In a way, it can help you to pursue your hobbies more diligently. After all, if you commit to doing something to help someone out, you’re then obligated to follow through. This makes it more likely that you’ll prioritize your volunteer efforts, especially if they’re made up of things you enjoy doing.

Volunteering can provide business and employment opportunities.

Giving your time to a cause is an underestimated networking opportunity. Not only are you meeting people and organizations who could possibly help get you in whatever door you might want to enter, you are doing so in a context that proves you work hard for what you believe in. In addition to this, volunteering can potentially teach you more skills or allow you to practice the ones you already have. Whether you’re a teenager looking to expand your worldview (and pad out your college applications), a student seeking to build a professional network and establish experience in a given field, or an adult seeking community engagement and ongoing education, volunteering can provide for these needs.

There are volunteer opportunities to be found in all shapes and sizes, benefitting a wide range of goals and causes and attracting people from all walks of life. While this should not be your primary reason for doing so, of course, it certainly adds a considerable benefit to you.

Volunteering is emotionally and physically healthy.

We’ve already touched on how volunteering can help keep your mind off the stress in your life, but it is enough of an impact to come back to and expand upon. While volunteering may not be a miracle pill to counteract your mental distress, it has been shown to have substantial remedial impacts on some serious issues that many people deal with—including anxiety, depression, and stress. Social interaction is crucial to a healthy mind, so the way that volunteering actively counteracts loneliness makes it a great mental health activity. It promotes a perceptible increase in brain activity associated with happiness, pretty much proving that helping others helps make a person happier.

These benefits have also been shown to translate into physical health as well. There is some evidence that volunteering leads to decreased blood pressure—helping counteract hypertension—and an increased lifespan. A 2013 study also indicated that volunteering had benefited 25 percent of respondents in managing a chronic health condition.

Volunteering Helps You Grow as a Person

Finally, there are a lot of ways that volunteering can improve your view of yourself as a person and give you more drive. Helping in one way or another builds your self-confidence while introducing you to a more diverse worldview. Whether you’re just starting out in life, you’ve decided it’s time for a change, or you’re looking for a way to pay back and give forward, volunteering provides significant opportunities to do so.

Looking for a Volunteer Opportunity?

The American Legion Riders Post 259 holds plenty of events that we could always use a hand with (along with some extra participants)! Reach out to us to find out more about what we do, and when our next planned event will be.

Opportunities for Otsego
http://www.ofoinc.org/lend-hand/
607-433-8000

At OFO we welcome your unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Contact us today to learn how you can help make a difference.

Habitat for Humanity
https://habitatotsego.org/volunteer/
Volunteers can help in a wide variety of capacities: help at the job site, assist with HASP, join a committee, provide lunches and more. Reach out to inquire more about these volunteer opportunities.
607-432-7874

Saturday’s Bread 
http://www.saturdaysbread.org/
Saturday's Bread is a hot meal program provided without cost for anyone who'd like to share it.
Reach out to learn more about how you can help. 
607-386-0522

United Way of Delaware & Otsego Counties, Inc.
https://www.unitedwaydo.org/
Help out in your community. Every little bit helps! Find out more about volunteer opportunities in our area.
607-432-8006

Literacy Volunteers of Otsego & Delaware Counties
https://lvodc.org/
Are you interested in becoming a tutor?  We're always looking for tutors to serve in Delaware, Otsego and Chenango counties, so drop us a line!  We also need help staffing the Oneonta office and helping with fundraising events.
607-287-0036

Oneonta YMCA
https://www.oneontaymca.org/
The YMCA has long been served by volunteers, along with staff, donors, and members, which are united by a deep commitment to strengthening our community. 
607-432-0010

Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans
https://superheroesirj.org
No matter what your schedule or abilities, we have a volunteer opportunity for you! 
607-441-3227