#10:
It's good for you.

Volunteering provides physical and mental rewards. It:

• Reduces stress: Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tension-producing patterns.
• Makes you healthier: Moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one's fate, strengthen the immune system.

#9:
It saves resources.

Volunteering provides valuable community services so more money can be spent on local improvements.

• The estimated value of a volunteer's time is $15.39 per hour.

#8:
Volunteers gain professional experience.

You can test out a career.

#7:
It brings people together.

As a volunteer you assist in:

• Uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal
• Building camaraderie and teamwork

#6:
It promotes personal growth and self esteem.

Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy.

#5:
Volunteering strengthens your community.

As a volunteer you help:

• Support families (daycare and eldercare)
• Improve schools (tutoring, literacy)
• Support youth (mentoring and after-school programs)
• Beautify the community (beach and park cleanups)

#4:
You learn a lot.

Volunteers learn things like these:

• Self: Volunteers discover hidden talents that may change your view on your self worth.
• Government: Through working with local non-profit agencies, volunteers learn about the functions and operation of our government.
• Community: Volunteers gain knowledge of local resources available to solve community needs.

#3:
You get a chance to give back.

People like to support community resources that they use themselves or that benefit people they care about.

#2:
Volunteering encourages civic responsibility.

Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.

#1:
You make a difference.

Every person counts!