Why You Should Volunteer Essay Example
Introduction
“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
What does it really mean to help another?
Is it to renounce a dollar to the destitute vet on the corner?
Does it mean to open the computer lab door for someone when they forget their student I.D.?
Our world is full of social injustice. There are social ills that occur everyday that we remain completely oblivious to. Whether we are aware of them or not is a choice. In our country alone there are over 37 million living in poverty, over 3.5 million people who are homeless. An estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect every year. The actual rate of child abuse is estimated to be 3 times greater than is even reported. In addition countless animals and pets are abused and neglected on a daily basis.
So what does it mean to really help someone?
I believe that an action taken by each of us here in this room, through volunteer efforts can empower and change someone else’s life.
Issue 1:
So why volunteer? Our society has benefited hugely from the generosity of volunteers of all ages. More than one and a half million non-profit organizations and charities directly benefit as a result. The estimated figure of economic value put on the voluntary sector is in the region of billions of dollars annually. It is and always has been, an indispensable aspect of our society. Regardless of who you are, it’s likely that there is an agency that addresses a need that you feel passionately about. There are agencies that address domestic violence, cancer patients, the elderly, animals and children. There are hundreds of thousands of people who could benefit so greatly from simple volunteer services.
It may not seem like much, but the experiences for the people you help is something that they will remember for a long time and the values hopefully
“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
What does it really mean to help another?
Is it to renounce a dollar to the destitute vet on the corner?
Does it mean to open the computer lab door for someone when they forget their student I.D.?
Our world is full of social injustice. There are social ills that occur everyday that we remain completely oblivious to. Whether we are aware of them or not is a choice. In our country alone there are over 37 million living in poverty, over 3.5 million people who are homeless. An estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect every year. The actual rate of child abuse is estimated to be 3 times greater than is even reported. In addition countless animals and pets are abused and neglected on a daily basis.
So what does it mean to really help someone?
I believe that an action taken by each of us here in this room, through volunteer efforts can empower and change someone else’s life.
Issue 1:
So why volunteer? Our society has benefited hugely from the generosity of volunteers of all ages. More than one and a half million non-profit organizations and charities directly benefit as a result. The estimated figure of economic value put on the voluntary sector is in the region of billions of dollars annually. It is and always has been, an indispensable aspect of our society. Regardless of who you are, it’s likely that there is an agency that addresses a need that you feel passionately about. There are agencies that address domestic violence, cancer patients, the elderly, animals and children. There are hundreds of thousands of people who could benefit so greatly from simple volunteer services.
It may not seem like much, but the experiences for the people you help is something that they will remember for a long time and the values hopefully