QUESTION: What kind of crazy people often work for long hours at no pay with little (if any) recognition?
ANSWER: Some 63 million Americans who volunteered their time, talent and efforts last year to improve their communities
and the natural world. That’s according to Independent Sector, a national membership organization of nonprofits, foundations and corporations based in Washington, D.C.
At GAGV, volunteers make our organization and programs work. Whether you’ve staffed a Lock It for Love event, stuffed folders for the Community Forum, helped plan a program or spent time writing
letters to your legislators, we thank you. And we hope you’ll consider volunteering even more in 2018 because in addition to your helping GAGV further its mission, volunteering helps you too!
Studies have shown volunteering provides many benefits including reducing stress, stimulating the mind and offering a sense of purpose beyond career success. Our own GAGV volunteers often talk about
the ‘psychic wages’ they earn from volunteering: a sense of giving back, an expanded view of communities outside their own zip codes, a better appreciation of others’ struggles, a spirit of camaraderie working with like-minded people toward common goals and
a hopeful feeling that progress is being made.
Thoughts of hope are seem particularly meaningful at the start of a new year. As activist and Sandy Hook parent Nicole Hockley said in her keynote speech in October at our Community Forum,
“We are not helpless, we are hopeful.”
Let’s make 2018 our year of hope.
Best wishes for a healthy and gratifying new year making a difference in what matters to you most.
