National Volunteer Month
April is National Volunteer Month which celebrates the impact of volunteers on our life and honors their significant contribution. The entire month is National Volunteer Month and within this big umbrella, there’s also National Volunteer Week. National Volunteer Week is observed from April 17-23 to recognize the positive impact volunteers make in the community.
Volunteers come from all age groups and demographics. By volunteering, people can help save lives and create better environments for us all to live within. Volunteering can help an organization fill community needs and it also helps add skills to your resume. Throughout history, volunteers have fostered real and lasting change in the communities where we live and work.
This month is dedicated to honoring all of the volunteers in our communities as well as encouraging volunteerism throughout the month.
History of National Volunteer Month
National volunteer month began as an extension to the existing volunteer week that first started in 1943 in Canada. It was established to help show appreciation for all the women that had volunteered to provide help during World War II. They are the ones who collected supplies and assisted the wounded soldiers. This holiday moved down to the US in 1974 when Nixon first officially added it to the calendar. Later it grows to the whole month of April celebration globally for the worldwide volunteers. It was made official worldwide in 1990.
April became National Volunteer Month with President George H.W. Bush’s vision of 1,000 points of light, which he shared in his 1989 inaugural address, helping to mobilize volunteers across the country. He founded Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, with a mission to encourage millions of people to take action and change the world.
National Volunteer Month was founded in 1991 to call attention to the importance of volunteering and to honor the contributions volunteers make by donating their time and talents to various causes. The desire to help communities and individuals in need during times of crisis is an innate part of what it means to be human. Empathy is something that connects all of us to one another. With all the natural disasters, wars, and social and economic catastrophes, there is always an opportunity for hope and a volunteer ready to be of service.
Suggested Read: International Volunteer Day
How to Celebrate National Volunteer Month
Volunteering is a rewarding experience you don’t have to have a lot of time. People volunteer for many reasons. Each shares their life experience, interests, gifts, and most importantly—their time.
Do you have a special talent or skill that might benefit a charity? Offer your services or ask how you might be of help. Volunteering your time to a charitable organization is one of the best ways to show your appreciation to the community.
Share the day on your social media and talk about what volunteering means to you. Include pictures from events where you and other volunteers have helped make a difference at an event! Organizations are always posting events on social media to try and get more people to help. Share those events and let people know that you’ll be attending them. You might just help inspire your friends to attend the next volunteer event.
So this April, take some time to give back and volunteer with one of your favorite causes. No matter what your passion is, there are opportunities for you to support and improve your community. Get out there and volunteer! #NationalVolunteerMonth
National Volunteer Month isn’t just a reminder to help out your community, it’s also a reminder to give thanks to all the people who volunteer in your community. Thank you for your care, energy, bright ideas, dedication, and everything in between!
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrew
Suggested Read: Important Days In April
