It is our pleasure to present to some and introduce to others, Our National Fourth Vice President of Volunteers

People who Serve

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said:

"If you want to be important - wonderful. If you want to be recognized - wonderful. If you want to be great - wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness... The thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know that second theory of thermodynamics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant."

There are many people around us and before us that serve, but not for the reason of getting recognized. George Washington didn't want to become the President of the United States at first, but he did it so that he could serve the people, because our country needed a great leader after just winning independence from Great Britain. As a result, he became one of the best presidents we have ever had.

Mother Teresa was also a person who served people. She helped people who could not help themselves, she worked among the poorest of the poor, and she set up homes for the dying. She did all this without the slightest intention of being recognized for her work.

Mohandas Gandhi served a large number of people too. In Southern Africa, he worked ceaselessly to improve the rights of the immigrant Indians. He helped in the fight for independence from Great Britian for India. He always acted nonviolently when he did this.

And of course, we must not forget the men and women in the military that have served us or are serving us right now. They are risking their lives for our country and for everyone in it. They had a choice of whether or not to be in the Armed Forces, and they chose to be in it. That is a decision not very many people can make, and everybody overseas that is choosing to serve our country deserves honor beyond honor.

Volunteering has become a meaningful activity for all ages -- adolescents, adults within the work force, and retirees. Research has proven the positive rewards of doing for others and finding meaning in activities. Meaningful activity through volunteerism greatly contributes to an older person's ability to age successfully. The delay of retirement, and the return and staying power of women in the work force have contributed to the decline in  volunteer numbers. The need for volunteers of all ages continues.  Older volunteers, with their longer experience, may rise to the leadership within nonprofit organizations whose programs and activities depend on voluntary help.

The notion of volunteerism has been exemplified in the U.S. since the early days of barn raisings and quilting bees. Women notably led volunteer efforts. Social problems such as nursing the sick, antislavery, prison reform, illiteracy, and suffrage are examples of traditional women-dominated volunteer roles.

Benefits of Volunteering

The benefits of volunteerism are numerous:

• Self satisfaction
• Altruism
• Potential learning or acquisition of new skills
• Specific benefits for the receivers of volunteer efforts
• Relaxation
• Socialization
• Status or reward
• Career opportunities
• Community improvement

        (Fischer & Schaffer, 1993)

Ethnic Differences in Volunteering

Volunteerism is deeply rooted in U.S. ethnic and racial components. The public and researchers have not fully acknowledged the value of volunteer activities--especially within ethnic groups. There is wide diversity within and across cultural groups. The following characteristics only begin to demonstrate a few specific differences:

•  African Americans, through families, neighborhoods, friendships, fraternal and social groups and churches, have long served their communities
• Chinese family associations or benevolent societies have provided information, guidance, support and sustenance to the needy
• Native American pueblos demonstrate their shared communal experiences in an agrarian lifestyle
• The Latino communities' high regard for family and expectation of service and support has been recognized.
• Jewish agencies and organizations are recognized for having provided significant relief efforts, especially in the acculturation of immigrants to America

                 (Fischer & Schaffer, 1993)

Volunteers sometimes receive only modest recognition --  since their activities involve free will, beneficence, and lack of reimbursement.
 

• Women, in their 30s and 40s represent the majority of volunteers in actual numbers
• Despite actual numbers, men are more likely to volunteer
• There are fewer numbers of volunteers, as more women who formerly volunteered are returning or staying longer in the work force
• 41% of those 60 years and over have volunteered in the last year
• Older volunteers average more than one day a week, 3 ½ hours per day
• Older volunteers would give more time if asked
   
  (Fischer & Schaffer, 1993)

Those Most Likely to Volunteer

• Persons with higher education (college students are more likely than high school graduates
• Younger persons
• Persons with higher incomes
• People with more available time
• Persons in better health
• Persons with recreational interest
• People who believe in helping others
• Persons interested in senior activities
   
  (Fischer & Schaffer, 1993)

Organizations Likely to Attract Volunteers

In order, these include:

• Churches
• Social Services
• Civic groups
• Cultural groups
• Educational institutions
• Health care organizations and institutions
• Political organizations
• Community Intergenerational Programs
   
  (Fischer & Schaffer, 1993)

Volunteerism Opportunities Nationally available

• Shepherd Centers: learning enrichment, senior helping seniors
• American Association of Retired Persons: advocacy
• Schools: intergenerational mentoring or tutoring, latch key programs
• Churches: community outreach programs, soup kitchens, Green Thumb
• SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives) which provides mentoring in business situations)
• RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program)
• Senior Companions
• National Concerned Officers (CO3GA) CSI
• Agencies that provide household and individual support services
• Pet therapy programs
• Disease-specific organizations: Parkinson's Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, Cancer Society, ALS, etc.
• Red Cross
• Senior Centers
• Foster Grandparents
• Family Friends
• YMCAs
• ACTION - programs
• National Volunteer School Program - provides teachers aides
  Red Cross
• Boys and Girl's Clubs
• 4 H
• Girl Scouts

More General Volunteer Activities

You may find some of the following general volunteer activities in your communities:

• Peer counseling
• Teaching, tutoring or mentoring
• Working with persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities
• Informal "fix-it" programs
• Gang Prevention and Intervention
• Diversity Programs
• Sewing projects such as blankets or dolls for children in the hospital
• Clerical work for nonprofit organizations

Volunteer Examples from our Missouri Profiles

Research has verified that staying active contributes to a healthier and longer lived life and that social supports are critical to the healthy aging. While most of the activities above are formal or organized activities, the informal connections with family, friends and even strangers may be  equally critical to successful aging. Helping, teaching, mentoring and  sharing experiences are sources of untold satisfaction at any age. These activities may be a continuation of youthful and middle age activity or part of one's lifestyle.

Find Out Ways Your Child Can Volunteer and Get Involved with Helping Children - Find out ways you and your child can help make a difference in the world by helping others.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Every January, Americans get what Coretta Scott King calls "...not a day off-- a day on!" Sicne The King Holiday and Service Act of 1994, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has become an opportunity for "people from all walks of life" to come together "to address issues of community concerned. This service day is sponsored by the Corporation for National Service, the The King Center and others.

National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week, sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation, takes place during April every year. It's a chance for communities across the nation to take time to appreciate and recognize the efforts of their volunteers. It's also a time to promote the importance of volunteerism. Here is a sample proclamation you can use as a guide in declaring National Volunteer Week in your community.

Make A Difference Day
Celebrated on the third Saturday of October, Make A Difference Day is the nation's largest day of service. Every year, millions of Americans work on day-long projects to brighten their communities. Make A Difference Day is sponsored by USA WEEKEND and the Points of Light Foundation. Area Wal-Mart provides money for local organizations to carry out their activities, and national awards are given out for the best projects.

National and local service days are a wonderful opportunity to join like-minded individuals in doing a day-long project that will enhance your community. (If you are interested in organizing a project in your area, see the Special Event Planning articles for help on how to get started). Depending on the amount of time and manpower you have to work with, possible projects include blood/toy/food/clothing/blanket, house painting/restoration, or a special event that brings different groups together. Here are a few examples of simple, yet highly effective, service day projects:

• Extra Mile and middle schools in Shreveport, LA held a Bedding and Blanket Drive for area homeless shelters.
• VISTAs in Marshall County organized a "Sweep and Swap" Project. They inviting different youth groups to clean up the city parks by painting the benches, swings, and picnic tables. The younger children picked up trash and rake leaves. The youth were rewarded with a snack and swim.
• Delaware County schools, businesses, and organizations were involved in a "Hair Rally". A "cut-a-thon" and other events were held to benefit Locks of Love, which makes wigs for people who have lost their hair due to sickness, and the American Cancer Society.

We are committed to Strengthening America's Youth and Middle Class. And with your help and support we will succeed.

Those words were said by Martin Luther King, in hopes that people would come together, regard less of skin color or race, and treat each other the way they would want to be treated. We have come a long way since African-Americans were discriminated, and we owe a lot of that to Dr. Martin Luther King. I dedicate this webpage to Martin Luther King, Jr.

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 Everyone can serve....