Many people choose to volunteer because they believe it makes a difference for others. While there are many different types of volunteering, most involve helping others – be it through charity events, running food drives, mentoring young children or simply delivering care packages to homeless individuals. Volunteering also counts as work experience and helps boost resumes – qualities that employers look for when hiring new employees.
Almost every community has groups that help the elderly or sick, and they are always looking for volunteers to help run errands, cook meals, clean houses and visit patients on a regular basis. You can volunteer to help build homes with groups such as Habitat for Humanity, or even offer your skills to assist those who have been through a natural disaster, such as rebuilding homes after Hurricane Katrina.
If you have a passion for the outdoors, environmental conservation and wildlife protection can be very rewarding types of volunteering. You can volunteer to plant trees and shrubs, take part in wildlife surveys or monitor the status of endangered species. You can also take a hands-on approach and volunteer at a local farm, where you will learn about sustainable farming, animal care, habitat restoration and more.
Sports organisations rely on volunteers to act as referees, umpires and marshalling at events. Other roles include volunteering as a committee member and supporting communications, coaching and recruitment. There are also opportunities to provide support for disabled athletes, as well as volunteering with teams that compete at international sporting events such as the Olympics or World Cup.