Discover the Joy: Top 7 Unexpected Fun Facts About Volunteering That Will Make You Smile!
1. Volunteering's Economic Powerhouse
Hold onto your hats, volunteer aficionados, because we're about to ride a wave of a philanthropic extravaganza: Volunteers in the United States clocked in a whopping 7.8 billion hours last year, translating to an astounding $184 billion in economic value, according to research by the Corporation for National and Community Service – talk about giving till it hurts... your sides from laughing!
Source => americorps.gov
2. Love Blooms in the Soup Kitchen
Feeling lonely? Follow Cupid to the soup kitchen: A survey by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society found that 10% of volunteers discovered love while lending a helping hand, leading to romantic relationships, and, for 6% of those, they sealed the deal with blissful matrimony.
Source => prnewswire.com
Did you know geese use honking as a form of teamwork to synchronize their flying during migration? Discover how their communication skills crack the code! 🐦🎶
=> Fun Facts about Teamwork
3. Ageless Volunteer Champions
Who needs a time machine when you have senior citizens volunteering? They've proven that age is merely a number, and their contributions are no laughing matter: In 2015, around 25% of the U.S. population aged 65 and over volunteered, with older volunteers contributing nearly double the median annual hours of work compared to the total population ages 16 and over, as per the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source => bls.gov
4. Celebrating International Volunteer Day
Tired of resting on your laurels? How about volunteering on a day made just for your efforts? Behold International Volunteer Day: Initially designated by United Nations in 1985, December 5th highlights the admirable projects and initiatives of volunteers and organizations like Hasbro, The Coca-Cola Company, Novartis Foundation, and FedEx. From service projects to disaster relief, these companies aim to make a global impact by addressing climate change, promoting urban heart health, and managing packaging waste – potentially affecting millions worldwide by 2023. Need some volunteer-spiration? Check out ACCP's Resource Library and IAVE's research report for more insights on global volunteering.
Source => accp.org
5. Volunteering: The Loneliness Antidote
Whoever said laughter is the best medicine clearly never tried volunteering: Volunteering for over 100 hours annually can substantially lower the risk of loneliness in adults aged 60 and above, as per a study published in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work.
Source => futurity.org
6. Voluntummy Rub: Recipe for Happiness
Feeling like a sourpuss and need a wholesome dose of feel-good vibes? Try a hearty portion of the ol' "volun-tummy rub": Volunteering can boost your mental wellbeing, increase your happiness levels, and provide stress relief, according to research. Plus, regularly dishing out a monthly scoop of this goodness is linked to even better mental health than just a sprinkle here and there.
Source => health.umms.org
7. Altruistic Job Hunting Adventures
Who said job hunting couldn't be a charitable affair? With your trusty resume in one hand and altruistic spirit in the other, you're practically an employment-seeking superhero: Volunteering is a powerhouse for developing valuable skills and experiences that boost employability, especially for young people. Governments are even placing focus on youth volunteering to help cultivate leadership, social, and vocational skills, all while making the world a better place. Now that's some seriously fun multitasking!
Source => unv.org
