Change Your Life In One Easy Step. Volunteer.

What are things that money can’t buy? Time, energy, and passion to name a few. However, you don't need money to find all of these things as a volunteer. There are estimates out there that give a value of volunteer work of about $21-$23/hour, but I don’t think there is a price that can be given to the value of a volunteer.

Being a volunteer can make a world of difference. It’s not just what it does for any given cause, but what it does for the community and even the volunteers themselves. These things cannot be measured in dollars and cents. That is what makes service to others PRICELESS! Here are a few things you may not know about the impact of volunteering.

Whether you are volunteering at your child’s school, your church, or the local food shelf you are binding your community together. When you engage in your community you build relationships with other people as well as other agencies and programs.

This allows you to collaborate to make improvements and solve community problems. When it comes to community programs, the volunteers are vital to keeping the programs going. Without volunteers many of the programs that support your community wouldn’t exist. In addition, research shows that community engagement correlates with lower crime rates in rural communities. So if you love your community or want to love your community…roll up your sleeves and get involved.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ~Gandhi

Volunteering sets a positive example for your children and others. Children who have parents who volunteer are more likely to volunteer themselves. They will see that one person can make a big difference. Volunteering builds good work ethic and self-confidence which are valuable gifts that a child can take with them into their adult lives, along with some impressive additions to their resume.

They are building life experiences that cannot be read about or seen on TV. These experiences will shape them as human beings and engage them as global citizens. So why not make your next service project a family affair?

“Passion rebuilds the world for the youth. It makes all things alive and significant.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

We all have a story; we experience things ourselves and through our families and friends...some wonderful and some painful. These experiences often create a passion for a cause close to our hearts. Through volunteering we are able to follow our passion and make a difference for the future. Whether you start your own project or are committing to a cause that has been progressing toward a goal for decades, your service is what makes it significant.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” ~Gandhi

There is no question that volunteers change lives every day. Millions of people around the world benefit from the work that volunteers do, but those are not the only lives that are changed. When you serve others you are impacting your own life as well.

Research has shown that volunteering:

• Increases self-confidence and self-esteem
• Connects you with others
• Combats depression
• Builds a more positive outlook
• Even helps you live longer

Where to start

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities in your area check with the local school, churches and local agencies. You can also visit The American Red Cross website  or The United Way website for volunteer opportunities.

Are you interested in volunteering more but don't have the time? Or maybe you already donate money or items to different organizations and feel that is not enough. Donating time can be even more valuable the donating money or possessions. Give us a call at 888.577.2227 or visit the LSS Financial Counseling website. We can take a look at your budget and your current monetary donations.

Author Ashley Hagelin is a Consumer Credit Counselor at LSS Financial Counseling and specializes in Reverse Mortgage counseling and education.