During National Volunteer Month, we'd like to say thank you for volunteering to improve the education, income and health of your community. By giving of your time, you're creating opportunities for a good life for all. Thank you for reaching out a hand to one and influencing the condition of all.

AEGON employees volunteered at the Salvation Army during United Way of East Central Iowa's 2010 Day of Caring.

United Way of East Central Iowa recently conducted a volunteer needs assessment survey. The survey results indicate that in 68% of local nonprofits, volunteers play a large role in their organization or are the main workforce. Volunteers often help deliver programs and are considered an extension of paid staff. The impact volunteers have on the community is far beyond monetary value. To see the full report, click here.  

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Volunteers at Horizons' Meals On Wheels program play an important role in providing nutrition to older adults. Volunteers deliver a hot, nutritious lunch to over 400 homebound older adults and persons with disabilities throughout Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha each day. Horizons realizes that volunteers deliver "more than just a meal" to the people they serve. They also provide a few moments of socialization to those homebound individuals, as well as a safety and security check. 

Volunteers at Meals on Wheels find they feel good "giving back" and the personal reward that comes from helping those in need. Volunteer drivers enjoy engaging personally with the clients, being out in the community, and the flexibility of the volunteer schedule with the program. Meals On Wheels is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a difference in someone's life and get involved in a very personal way. 

Without volunteers, Horizons would truly be hard pressed to fulfill its mission. It is through the volunteers' generous gift of time that Horizons is able to feed so many in need. The volunteers make it possible for Meals on Wheels to make a difference in the lives of those they serve. 

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with Horizons' Meals On Wheels program, please email Jessica Link at jlink@horizonsfamily.org, or call 319-398-3574. 

Article contributed by Jessica Link, Volunteer Coordinator for Meals On Wheels at Horizons, A Family Service Alliance.

Help seniors live a longer, more independent and higher quality life! Often, when people get older, they tend to skimp on food, especially if money is tight. They opt for the less expensive, less healthy items because they think whole grains, fresh produce and lean cuts of meat are "luxuries." Seniors need to get the message that nutritious food is not a luxury but a necessity. Help us deliver that message!

It's important to reinforce that eating healthy foods is an investment in good health. The better you eat, the healthier you will stay. Good nutrition helps prevent chronic disease as well as injury, ultimately allowing older adults to remain independent for a longer period of time.

Food Assistance is a program that helps low-income Iowans pay for food. New guidelines are allowing more people to be eligible. RSVP is partnering with Iowa State University Extension and is looking for volunteers to share this message with older Iowans.

In Linn County please call Barbara at 398-5372 X 37 and in Jones County, please call Rachel at 560-0811 for more information about how you can help us spread the word.

Kathy Vande Zandschulp is an RSVP volunteer and gives of her time to volunteer at Hoover Elementary School. Kathy spends about an hour each week working one-on-one with kids that need help with reading, addition or subtraction.

Kathy volunteers because she gets as much out of it as the students do. Kathy says "they know me now and I so enjoy all the hugs of excitement I get when I walk in the classroom. I've gotten to know their different personalities as they interact with me".

Kathy makes a difference when she helps students that are having difficulty and she finds the experience very rewarding.

Kathy likes to tell the story about one of the little girls that she frequently helps and how animated she is. "When I walk in to the room she runs up to me and pleads with her teacher to let her sit with me first. When she gets done with the addition cards she then asks me to do them myself so she can check to see if I do them correctly".

Kathy encourages others to "find something you like and just jump into volunteering."