Purpose to Serve Others and Your Community

We want you all to know that the service our volunteers provide is so important, and so impactful.  And there are so many ways that servicing your community makes a positive difference in not only the lives of others, but the lives of our volunteers too!  So… without further ado, here are our Top 8 Important Reasons to Serve Your Community. We hope it sticks!

1.To Develop a Richer Perspective of the World: Volunteering is an essential part of preparing yourself to take responsibility as open-minded citizen in the global community that we live in today. While performing community service, people of all ages have the opportunity to see first-hand just how much their work can have an impact on the world. When you volunteer locally you get to interact with your entire community of people.  These people will usually have vastly different stories and backgrounds and you can’t help but grow in understanding and empathy as you develop a global perspective.

2. Find New Interests and Opportunities: Doors open when you volunteer. You may start with one idea in mind and then realize that you’re drawn to and/or have skills in something totally different. You can build a social network, discover a new organization of interest, or find that you’re a perfect match as a Database Coordinator even though you thought you’d be shaking hands at the door!  Who knows, you may even stumble across your dream job by meeting your future colleague or next job reference.

3. To Gain Moral Values: Moral values like honesty, humbleness, gratefulness, respect, and sincerity are some of the virtues to be learned from serving in a diverse community. These are skills and lessons that cannot usually be taught in any classroom, but by being responsible in your service you learn to think beyond ‘I, me, myself’ and get a wider perspective of life and others around you.

4. To Improve Your Health: Yes! Volunteering is actually good for your body. Studies have shown that volunteering makes people feel physically healthier, manage chronic health conditions and lower stress!

5. To Share Your Expertise: Everyone has a skill or experience from which someone else can benefit. If you aren’t putting your talents to their best use in your everyday life (or even if you are), volunteering can be a prime way to share your gifts. Get out in your community and put your skills—from teaching to sewing—toward helping others.  You’ll be surprised at just how much people really can and want to learn, even if you think your skill might not be a big deal.

6. To Meet Others: Volunteering and community service is a great outlet for meeting others to broaden your network and find others with similar interests. A local organization can put you face-to-face with people already right in your community—plus, you’re already bonding over a shared passion. You can create lasting friendships with those you may not have otherwise met in your day-to-day grind.

7. To Improve Skills—or Learn New Ones: On the flip-side of number five on this list, you may want to learn a thing or two yourself!  You’ve always wanted to try your hand at basic carpentry, improve your cooking or discover how something works… volunteering with places like Habitat for Humanity, or a food kitchen may get you started!  Classes and courses can come at a cost—but volunteering is free! Why not begin your learning at no charge with an organization or opportunity where you can learn by doing, and be helping others along the way!

8. Community Service Betters Your Community: This is the most obvious reason, but such a big one!  It means so much to take the time to make the community that you live in better. You can have a huge impact with just a small investment of your time. Volunteer activities at PAL are over the board; they could include events such as street and park clean cleanups, local school projects, serving food at other local organizations, helping with our youth activities, and more. Volunteering in these local activities will have high returns where it matters most to you and your family.

And there you have it.  Our current master list of why we love to serve our community and why it is so so important.