April 18-24 is National Volunteer Week.  For United Way of Hall County, our partner agencies and many other non-profit organizations, volunteers are the most valuable asset we have in fulfilling our mission.   In 2008, the estimated value of volunteer time was $20.25 per hour*.  Since United Way will utilize approximately 350 volunteers each year, it's easy to understand the contribution these individuals make.

The role of a volunteer is as varied as the individual.  Volunteers provide governance, lead fundraising efforts, plan special events, oversee financial integrity and myriad other functions for organizations such as ours.  Volunteers are also Sunday School teachers, scout leaders, mentors, coaches and environmentalists.  Volunteers serve food to the hungry, staff thrift stores, conduct book or clothing drives and spend time listening to an elderly person reminisce about the past.  You can choose to volunteer for a hospital, school, church or a non-profit organization.

On behalf of United Way of Hall County and all of us who are recipients of your time and talent, we thank you.  To all who have joined hands, opened their hearts, lent their muscle and shared their voice to LIVE UNITED, our community is a much better place because of you. 

If you are not currently volunteering, I encourage you to get involved.  The document found here will give you good information on how you will benefit.  As I can attest from my personal volunteering experience, I've always gotten back much more than I ever gave. Volunteering has provided me with a sense of community, a greater appreciation of humankind and the opportunity to make many, many new friends.

The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research
from the Corporation for National and Community Service (20-page PDF, 2007)

Whether you choose to give one day a year, one day a month, one day a week or just a few hours, there is a place for you.  Log on to UnitedWayHallCounty.org for more information and to access our volunteer calendar.

*Independent Sector, a 501c3 organization whose mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the charitable community.