Celebrate National Volunteer Week!

Every year, National Volunteer Week (April 21-27) serves as a major reminder of the incredible power of service and the profound impact volunteers have on communities around the world.

National Volunteer Week is part of Global Volunteer Month (April), which celebrates the power of people who tackle society’s greatest challenges and build stronger, more vibrant communities through volunteerism and everyday actions. It started in 1974 and has seen massive, consistent growth in the impact made over the course of these powerful seven days.

The Most Valuable Resource You Can Give

The core of philanthropy and giving back is based on our 3Ts – time, talent and treasure. While all three offer different ways to support causes close to our hearts and help us make a difference, volunteering our time is arguably one of the most impactful things we can do. 

Time is something we all have - and we all get the same amount every day. No matter where we are from or how much we have in our bank account, each of us is given 24 hours in a day and it is up to each of us to make the time to create an impact in the world around us.

Volunteering strengthens communities by bringing people together for a common purpose. It fosters a sense of belonging and solidarity among individuals who work towards a shared goal. Whether it’s lending a helping hand to those in need, championing a cause, or simply making a difference in someone else’s life, volunteering holds the remarkable ability to transform not only the lives of others but also our own.

Volunteering - An Activity We All Can Do

Volunteers come from all walks of life and represent a diverse range of backgrounds, skills, and passions. Yet they share a common commitment to making a positive impact and creating a better world for future generations. Engaging young people in volunteer activities not only instills valuable life lessons, but also lays the foundation for a compassionate and socially responsible future generation. 

• Through volunteerism, young people learn important values like generosity, integrity, and respect for diversity. By witnessing the impact of their actions on others and the world around them, they can internalize these values and develop a strong ethical foundation. 
• Through volunteerism, young people learn important values like generosity, integrity, and respect for diversity. By witnessing the impact of their actions on others and the world around them, they can internalize these values and develop a strong ethical foundation.

Get Your Students Involved in Volunteering

So, what can you do in your classroom to make volunteering a habit – something that doesn’t need to be thought twice about?

1. Get out there! Find ways around your school or in your community that students of all ages can volunteer their time and make their community a better place. Spend an hour picking weeds or cleaning up trash around your school campus, reach out to your local United Way or city offices to find opportunities or ideas for your class to see what impact they can make. Find resources and sites online (like volunteer.gov) that lists volunteer opportunities – both in-person and virtual.

Looking for a way to connect the skills, passions and interests your students have with ways to give back? Check out our Project Heart lessons to find lesson plans, slide decks and student activity materials to help students identify needs in the community, and take inventory of what is important to them and how they can help.

1. Say thank you – Whether it’s thanking the parent volunteers at your school or sending thank you notes to those making an impact at a nonprofit of your choice, showing your appreciation for the work people are doing makes them feel good and drives them to do even more!

Need some inspiration or a simple template? Check out our Kindness Cards found in the Project Heart resources.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, let’s not only honor the contributions and impact of volunteers right now, but also look towards the future with hope and optimism. Let’s envision a world where service is not just a once-a-year event, but a way of life – a world where compassion, empathy, and generosity are at the forefront of our actions. An immediate action rather than an afterthought. Let’s get out there and make a difference!