In today’s world we all live such hectic, fast-paced lives that finding the time (or energy) to volunteer for something other than the latest episode of The Office can feel like a monumental task. A volunteer is someone who willingly donates time to their community to serve a greater good. Pretty noble, huh?
When our busy lives and do-gooder desires clash, it’s time to look at the bigger picture. With the health benefits you reap from volunteering, and the fact that over one-fourth of the US population is doing it, it might be the perfect occasion for you to join in. Take a gander at 10 of the hard, true facts about volunteering.
1. How many? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of Sept. ’09, 26.8 percent of the US population volunteers.
2. The hours. In 2009, volunteers worked an average of 50 hours annually according to the BLS.
3. What do they do? NationalService.gov reports the top four activities volunteers participate in are: raising money, collecting/distributing food, labor or transportation and tutoring, in that order.
4. Churches, Mosques and Temples. Volunteering in America reports that the number one vehicle through which volunteers serve is through religious institutions.
5. Show me the money. According to Volunteering in America volunteers served approximately 8.1 billion in ’09. The estimated monetary value of service is $169 billion.
6. Go Gen Y. A 2006 study by the Corporation for National and Community Service reported that the younger generation volunteered twice as much as adults. They report that 55 percent of young people volunteer and only 29 percent of adults do.
7. B.S., Volunteering. BLS reported that the majority of people, 42.8 percent, who volunteer have received a bachelor’s degree or higher.
8. Down with the Kardashians. A survey conducted by American Time Use Survey volunteers watch less TV. People who volunteer typically spend about 15 hours a week in front of the TV while those who don’t spend 23 hours.
9. Go global. Volunteer Global reported that the top three countries internationally where people volunteer are Peru, Ecuador and India, in that order.
10. Stay healthy. Nationalservice.gov conducted a data analysis that showed that people over the age of 70 who volunteered about 100 hours annually were healthier. They reportedly experienced less depression and ultimately lived longer.
Image courtesy of lanz, flickr.