So many causes and organizations depend in part, or in whole, on volunteers.
Volunteer Week is celebrated nationally each year, and provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice, resources and support to causes and organizations they care about.
Volunteering means spending some of your time helping others; there is no age limit and no required educational level.
All people qualify.
TENNESSEE KNOWN AS THE ‘VOLUNTEER STATE’
Research tells us that almost 30 percent of adults in the United States volunteer formally through an organization. … That is 75 million people giving five billion hours!
The dollar value of this service exceeds $167 billion in economic value. Many others, of course, volunteer informally helping friends, neighbors and their communities.
Tennessee has long been known as the Volunteer State and that is also strongly associated with the University of Tennessee’s sports teams. … However, it is interesting to note that the state with the most volunteers in actually Utah followed by Wyoming.
While much volunteer work is done in person, there is a trend to virtual or hybrid volunteering, especially for older adults or volunteers with disabilities.
In Tennessee there is a commission to encourage Volunteerism and Community Service. It is named “Volunteer Tennessee” and is made up of a 25-member bipartisan citizen board appointed by the governor.
Research says that there are many benefits to volunteering. Not only do volunteers help others and improve communities, but it also improves physical and mental health and provides a sense of purpose for them as an individual.
It is also an excellent way to make friends, develop a sense of connection to community and to have fun.
LOCAL VOLUNTEERS STAND UP, STAND OUT
In Loudon County, one example of a successful volunteer organization is the Good Neighbors Shoppe in Lenoir City. In 2001, Gene and Roberta Burwell established a quality resale shop with all the proceeds going directly to Loudon County organizations and residents in need.
In the years since that time, more than $7 million has been given to the Loudon County Community. More than 240 volunteers are involved with the Good Neighbors Shoppe.
A sterling example of an individual volunteer is Billie Whitney. She has been a bright presence and an inspiring figure at the Public Library at Tellico Village since 2012.
Her warmth, joy and commitment make her a cornerstone of the library family.
Billie has served in many roles on the Friends of Tellico Village Library Board and also served for six years on the Loudon County Library Board of Trustees.
Her goal is to insure access to reading for all. She was an early volunteer with the assisted-living book delivery and has also championed little libraries in Habitat for Humanity neighborhoods and supported summer reading programs.
Billie Whitney’s volunteer efforts do not stop at the library. She is a true community volunteer and serves with Meals on Wheels, Our Place and the Loudon Senior Center.
Her service and warm spirit enrich Loudon County.
Volunteers are Vital. Plant a tree, teach a Sunday School Class, be a classroom volunteer, lead a 4-H Project group, coach a sports team, serve on a board, lead storytime at the library, volunteer at a thrift store, teach someone to read. …
You are making the community stronger, better and more vibrant. Volunteers And Volunteering Matter.
The definition of Valuable says, “Something of great worth.” And Invaluable is defined as, “Beyond what can be easily measured.”
Volunteers are both.
