Community Wellbeing
Thank a Volunteer! National Volunteer Appreciation Month
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, which is a great time to recognize the contributions of volunteers in your community. There are many ways to express gratitude to volunteers (including yourself if you volunteer!) daily, throughout the month, and beyond.
The Challenge
Consider this a two-part challenge. Pick 1-2 ways to say thank you to volunteers in your community and practice that gratitude every time you see a volunteer. And/or show appreciation by getting involved with a local group who needs volunteers.
Whether you know it or not, chances are you have contact with a volunteer every day. They may be volunteering in the school carline pick up, accepting donations you are dropping off, or tending to a community garden. Regardless of what they are doing, we should be thanking them for the time and talent they dedicate to that volunteer role. But how? Here are some quick ways to express your gratitude:
- Smile and say thank you when you see them. Both are simple gestures, but ensure the volunteer feels seen and appreciated.
- Tell them how they made an impact on you or in the community. For example, if you are dropping off donations, tell them that their work will make a difference to others in the community.
- Tell others about the volunteers and the organization that have made an impact on you. Even though this isn’t a direct way to express gratitude, by telling others about your experience, you encourage others to participate or get involved with that organization.
Perhaps the best way to express your gratitude to community volunteers is by getting involved yourself. If you love to garden and there is a community garden in your area, volunteer to help pull weeds. If you love animals, look into volunteering at the local animal shelter. If there is a big event in your area, maybe there are opportunities to get involved. Or, it can even be something as easy as volunteering an hour a week at a local school making copies. Depending on your time and availability, there is always a need for a volunteer in your community.
Most, if not all, local communities rely on volunteers in some way. Take a minute and visit Volunteer.gov to learn more about tips and tricks on finding the right volunteer role for you. Find something that works for you - even if it’s a simple thank you to the next volunteer you meet!
Report Participation
Document your participation in A Clear Vision of Life: The Wellbeing Program and be entered to win a challenge incentive! Click here to let us know you participated in this challenge.