Volunteering & Volunteer Students

Last week the media reported on preliminary study findings which suggest that people who donate a portion of their incomes to causes or people they believe in are happier than those who simply spend on themselves. Whether giving college students money to spend or looking at professionals who received workplace bonuses, individuals cited a greater level of happiness with their lives when they gave a share of that money away.

In recent years, a number of studies demonstrated that a commitment to volunteering in one's community yielded lower levels of depression. A 2004 study in the UK showed that nearly two-thirds of 25-34 year olds reported reduced stress after they began volunteering. Seven in 10 felt that using their professional skill sets for a philanthropic endeavor cut down on feelings of depression, while almost a third of 19-24 year olds reported lower rates of workplace absenteeism as a result of their charitable commitments. Additionally, a 2007 compilation of study results showed positive health effects from volunteering peaked at 100 hours per year; additional health benefits were not found in those who volunteered more than 100 hours each year.

What should these findings say to you? Find a cause you care about. Think about the community and society stories that tug at your heart strings. Do puppy mills and the Michael Vicks dog fighting scandal sadden you? Perhaps a local animal shelter would be a good fit for you. Do you enjoy playing with your nieces and nephews? Maybe you'd be a great Big Brother or Big Sister. Are you frustrated by the disenfranchisement of qualified voters each election season? Maybe you want to take advantage of volunteer opportunities with a group that focuses on making all votes count. Whether you're volunteering one weekend a month or 2 hours a week, you and your community benefit.

As twenty somethings, we are often juggling debt and entry level jobs that don't often leave us with a lot of money to spare. One thing we do have is energy and time. So let's not discount the fact that the time we can give to a cause is just as valuable as the dollars they collect through various fundraising efforts. A lot of smaller non-profits rely on their volunteers to make their dollars go farther and to keep programs a live. Dedicated volunteers are great ambassadors of the organizations they support.

Whether you have $20 per paycheck to donate or 2 hours every Thursday, you can put a smile on your face knowing that your contribution is making an impact.

P.S. VolunteerMatch is a great site that helps partner you with organizations that need your help. DonorChoose allows you to purchase supplies for underfunded schools.