New Year, New Beginnings

New Year, New Beginnings

Monday
Lourdes A. Rodríguez, M.S.
Multigenerational group sorting food items into cardboard boxes marked 'Harvest' for community volunteering

New Year, new beginnings, new resolutions. How about trying something that not only will benefit all family members, but will keep everyone motivated all year long? Let us talk about volunteering.

The dictionary defines volunteer as “an optional and freely chosen act of an individual or group giving their time and labor, often for community service.” However, becoming a volunteer entails more than just the action itself. It also provides multiple benefits to the volunteer and those served. 

Benefits

  • Improves physical and mental health. Studies show that volunteers live longer, have a lower risk of high blood pressure or dementia, and feel happier and more connected to others.
  • Provides a sense of purpose and a role model to your children. The sense of accomplishment from providing help lasts longer than the physical soreness you may feel.
  • Strengthens your family’s well-being. Along with the previously mentioned emotional and physical benefits, you will be creating lasting memories full of teachable moments.
  • Helps build a better community. Little by little, we can all help create the change needed to make a better society. 

Where to start?

Family members can volunteer as a group, individually, or both ways. Start by asking your family members about their preferences and suggestions. Identify one option that all family members can do together, and also allow each member to select one they like to do on their own. 

When you weigh volunteer options, look for something that you (or your family) like or are passionate about. The odds are that you keep doing it longer. For example, I love sewing. Ten years ago, after years of sewing my now-adult daughters’ outfits, I filled that “emptiness” by sewing for multiple charities: drawstring bags for foster children, dresses for girls in need around the world, and diaper shirts for preemies. Still today, I feel great doing so!

Be open to exploring diverse opportunities: seasonal, one-time needs, and long-term commitments. Using the same example, besides the long time spent sewing for these charities, I stepped in to sew masks for hospital staff at the beginning of the pandemic, when supplies were nonexistent.

Explore the diverse types of volunteering needs available in your area: environmental, homelessness, children, older people, refugees/immigrants, your children’s school, animals, or others. If none of the available ones appeals to you, create your own!

Decide if you would like to provide administrative help – fundraising, becoming a trustee, office work, or a “hands-on” assistance. You may want to handle some administrative tasks yourself and do hands-on work with your family for this exact reason.

Who to contact?

Once you have a clear idea of which type of help you and your family are ready to provide, contact the organizations/charities. These are some local and nationwide programs you can reach:

Local

Nationwide

This New Year, get ready to step outside your comfort zone, break your usual routines, and reduce the time you spend on electronics. Spend time together while showing your kids the importance of helping others and how good it feels.