Graystone Heights Residents and Employees are getting together on Friday afternoon to volunteer their time and cook dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House here in Sioux Falls. We are very excited to be able to give back to our community and are excited to do so with our Graystone family. This event has us thinking about the benefits and power of Volunteering.
There are so many different reasons to volunteer in today’s world – to support a cause you are passionate about, to help those who are less fortunate, or to make a difference in the lives of others. Those three reasons right there are motivation enough to get out and volunteer. But have you ever thought about the benefits you, as the volunteer, receive for your time and service?
COMMUNITY. When you volunteer with an organization, you are creating connections with people you are helping and with fellow volunteers – you are meeting other like minded folks in your community and are building relationships with them. Ultimately, a strong community is one who comes together for the betterment of all of us and volunteering is a way to contribute to and make yourself apart of that.
LEARN NEW SKILLS. There are SO many different types of volunteer opportunities out there, why not pick one that helps you hone in on a new skill or hobby? Want to learn more about horses? Find a horse sanctuary to volunteer at. Always wanted to learn more about building and construction? Get involved in your local Habitat for Humanity. The options are truly endless, plus – you are likely to learn more about yourself in the process. Take advantage of the fact that volunteering is a free way to grow your skill set, all while contributing to a greater good.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” – Winston Churchill
Photos were taken during Graystone Heights and Real Property Management’s Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Day.
BUILD YOUR RESUME. Having volunteer experience on your resume helps you to stand out among other potential candidates. It paints a picture of who you are as a person and clearly outlines causes that you care for. If it’s between you and one other candidate, the one with volunteer experience is more likely to be selected because the hiring manager has a better sense of who they are and can tell that they care about their community.
IT FEELS AWESOME. If you’ve never volunteered before and gotten to feel that ‘feel good’ feeling that comes afterwards – you are missing out. Giving your time freely and seeing the positive effects it has on others is such a great feeling. You will also begin to see a subtle shift in your everyday life – you will notice you aren’t as easily stressed out and you are more appreciative of the small things. You will feel more connected to others and want to help more. What a great cycle to get into.
So whatever your reasons are for volunteering – it’s a powerful thing that we should all try to make time for. The most important thing to remember is that when we volunteer our time and bring our enthusiasm and positivity with us – it has a ripple effect that has the power to drive change. Others see the impact you make as a volunteer and want to be a part of that change. You never know how impactful a simple action like helping another might be and often times, it’s a lot more than you think.