Whenever we stand shoulder-to-shoulder to serve with others, it gives us an opportunity to learn about our friends and neighbors in our community – and develop more empathy about the lives we share.
Each year, the Corporation for National and Community Service creates our Volunteering and Civic Life in America study. This annual survey provides a snapshot of the state of the nation and how we build the connections that make our communities stronger.
This year has led many Americans to wonder how we can unite after so many of our differences were laid bare. However, the antidote to conflict is understanding. And a great way to find common ground is through volunteering, which can unite people from different backgrounds as they work toward common goals.
A Nation of Volunteers
The results of our study show that volunteering remains a core American value. We found that last year more than 62.6 million Americans (or 1-in-4 adults) volunteered through an organization, giving 7.8 billion hours of their time in service. The benefit of that service is valued at almost $184 billion to the U.S. economy.
In addition, two-thirds of Americans engaged in something we call “informal volunteering.” This covers the neighborly actions that happen every day with little fanfare, such as watching each other’s children, house sitting, or helping a senior with shopping.
The volunteer impulse also expands community involvement. Volunteers attend more meetings, participate in school activities, boost local organizations of all types, and join community improvement efforts. Also America’s volunteers, to no one’s surprise, are twice as likely to donate to charity as those who stand on the sidelines.
Turn Your Passion into Action
The challenges our nation faces every day will not be solved by a social media hashtag – it requires Americans to get involved.
There are children who need tutors and mentors to stay on track in school. There are communities that experienced disasters and need your muscle and energy to recover. There are seniors who need your companionship and compassion to help them live with dignity in their homes.
The Corporation for National and Community Service and its thousands of partners are proud to play a critical role in strengthening America’s volunteer sector. And I encourage you to join in to find volunteer opportunities in your community by visiting Serve.gov.
Your actions can be your megaphone to change the world – turn your passion into action. This holiday season is a great time to renew your commitment to volunteering.
We Are the American Family
The fabric of our nation is woven with threads spun from our diverse cultures and backgrounds. Working together as volunteers only makes this fabric stronger, will lead to greater understanding, and can heal the divisions in our country.
There are traditions that remain strong in American households – the family that sits down for dinner each night, volunteers who support an event at the local school, those who answer the call when someone needs a hand.
However, your family is not defined by those who live inside your home – it stretches into our workplaces; our social, civic, and church groups; and loops in our friends and neighbors, too.
If family is the foundation of our nation, service is the cornerstone. Throughout our history, volunteering and civic engagement have been actions as enduring as the nation itself.
The United States is an exceptional place to call home, and our character shines when we raise our hands to volunteer and keep our communities strong.
We can accomplish anything when we follow our passions … join in and go volunteer!
Wendy Spencer is the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and other programs.