If you were not aware, April is National Volunteer Month. However, at a micro-level, while it just passed April 16, National volunteer week, which is hosted by the Point of Light foundation, is observed every third week of April. Canada also holds observes volunteer week in conjunction with the US albeit a bit earlier.
This is an appreciation month of sorts for the do-gooders, and the community activists. Volunteering entails serving the commonwealth free of reward save for the gain of self-worth and fuzzy feelings you get lending a helping hand.
Without the expectation of pay, volunteers devote their time to listening, teaching, encouraging, healing, building and in some cases even putting themselves in the line of danger. As Canadian athlete Sherry Anderson so poetically put it, “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.â€
As students we hear a number of pitches about the advantages of community service, usually they involve key words like resume building. A lot of people take up volunteer work for a number of reasons even if they aren’t aware of those reasons it mostly likely keeps them coming back for more.
Here are some of the reasons one might consider volunteering: garnering new experiences, gives you a sense a purpose, desire to build strong relationships and networks with people who have similar values as you. Summer breaks swift approach has me thinking about the volunteer opportunities that we all can engage in now that some of our time has been freed up.
And why not? Sure
sitting on the couch or even pursuing a paying summer job sounds cool but what are you going to be doing in between that job search where you’re competing with the other unemployed masses?
On top of having some fun and collecting experiences, think of the ways you can contribute to nonprofits for afterschool programs, illness and disease prevention, animal shelters and humane societies, hospices, missionaries, veterans, third world countries and even local community initiatives. You name it, there is most likely some type of volunteering opportunity for it.
Your choice to make some type of commitment is important, even if you manage just a couple hours of service through the entire year. Every little bit counts not just towards that particular cause but towards your self-confidence.
If you aren’t sure where to start here are a few upcoming national holidays and organizations in Chicago to look into. You can also visit volunteermatch.org and onegooddeedchicago.org for more resources and opportunities:
-Earth Day is fast approaching, April 22 to be exact. Earth Day is a widely known, massive holiday that is a fantastic way to jump into the gigantic public pool that is volunteering. There really is an abundance of events and projects you can take part of on this day. Perhaps you might want to register with your local park or forest preserve for a volunteer opportunity. Specifically Friends of the Parks is hosting its county-wide 27th Annual Earth day Parks & Preserves Clean-up. Go ahead, get your hands dirty.
-Red Nose Day: While it is a month away–this year Red Nose Day will be observed on Thursday, May 26. Organized by Comic Relief, this campaign encompasses a day where people can put red honkers on like clowns, donate and volunteer to help lift children from poverty by being silly. It will also be televised on NBC as a two-hour event. You can visit your nearest Walgreens to pick up a red nose and other “Red Flairâ€(the profits go to the benefit).
-Chicago’s Food Bank: This is an organization that believes that no one should go hungry, and if you are a human being with a soul then you should believe that as well. Volunteers of this organization repack food, assemble boxes and load trucks.
Other than volunteering at the bank you may want to hold your own drive or make a simple donation. On June 25, the Greater Food Depository will be holding its 31st annual Hunger Walk. Also, tickets for Baconfest, which runs from April 30-May 1st, are available on their site.
-Camp of Dreams: A fun, uplifting Chicago program that is devoted to providing free educational courses and activities to underprivileged youths.
Members engage in a three week summer camp on Saturdays, taking part in academics as well as visual and performing arts, and wealth and wellness to name a few activities. This organization is currently seeking mentors/ tutors and clerical assistants.
-Chicago Human Rhythm Project: Originally a festival, this music centric organization eventually evolved into a year round program. It engages in community outreach through tap dance and jazz. CHRP hosts concerts, educational programs, outreach and conferences.
Zhana Johnson
Senior Features Editor
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