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Posted on April 18, 2011 12:08
Community Connections:
Volunteer Celebration Invitation To You!
BY PAM KETTERING
United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton
Published: Wednesday, April 6, 2011 10:57 PM CDT
Do you share your time, talents and treasures with others? You are a volunteer! You are invited to attend the Community Volunteer Celebration on Tuesday, May 3 at the Human Services Center South Training Center from 5-6 p.m. The community-wide event celebrates volunteers of all ages that are working countless hours accomplishing countless tasks toward countless achievements.
It takes people of all talents to fulfill the needs of our neighbors of all ages and multiple situations. It takes people with their variety of talents to assist organizations to achieve their mission and vision. Every citizen benefits from the donation of time, money and energy that generous people contribute to make a difference in the lives of individuals and / or the community at large.
Volunteers read to others, coach teams, stuff envelopes, organize events, learn lines for a play, clean up garbage, emcee, drive people to appointments, mentor, play musical instruments, bake cookies, run or walk races, plant trees, decorate floats, provide guided tours, solve computer dilemmas, paint, write articles, listen, rake and mow lawns, serve food, mop floors, babysit, usher, go fishing, move furniture, teach crafts, hammer nails, tutor, sew, share accounting skills, sing, repair equipment, take pictures, serve on boards, direct traffic, sell concessions, ride in parades, attend meetings, buy food, quilt, greet people, enter data, call bingo, plant a garden, walk an animal, fundraise, and much, much more.
Information obtained from the Corporation of National and Community Service stated: In 2009, 63.4 million Americans volunteered to help their communities. This is an additional 1.6 million volunteers compared to 2008, making 2009 the largest single-year increase in the number of volunteers since 2003. Volunteers also provided 8.1 billion hours of service in 2009, which has an estimated dollar value of $169 billion. As the economic crisis affected many individuals personally and sent shockwaves across the country, Americans reached out to help through service.
Additional information specific to South Dakota stated a total of 227,500 volunteers represented 37.2 percent of the residents that ranked them 6th in the nation. The volunteers gave 23.6 million hours of service which translates to 38.6 hours per resident, ranking them 18th in the nation for hours served. This service translated to monetary value of $492.2 million!!
Many people sharing many talents may indicate that all is well and that all the needs are met. Correction! There is much to be done to keep this growing community vital and to make a difference in people’s lives. Call United Way & Volunteer Services at 665-6766 for information on how you can get involved or become part of a different opportunity.
Consider the following quotes: Carol Burnett said, “I think we’re here for each other.” and President Theodore Roosevelt said “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”
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