Volunteerism: Part 1

By Debra Townsend
Reader Contributor

It’s that time of year where you’re either making New Year’s resolutions, or you’re rolling your eyes at your friends and family who are making them. We are all about making New Year’s resolutions here at Sandpoint Community Resource Center – if they’re realistic ones! 

I think that we can all agree that resolutions are great, in theory. But how many of us have resolved to hit the gym five times a week, lose 10 pounds by March 1, or to start that new diet and stick to it all year, only to fail about two weeks in? I know I have. But, I’d like to propose a resolution that is not only easy to accomplish but also rewarding, it helps others, and it comes with a support team. What is this mythical resolution, you ask? Volunteering! At SCRC we are all about making our community a better place to live. I mean, we’ve got the word “community” in our name. We’ve even created a program specifically for volunteering, geared towards making it an easier and more efficient process.

The Volunteer Idaho Panhandle program, or VIP, was designed to simplify the process of volunteering in our great community by providing one central place where volunteers can go to get connected with volunteer opportunities. We recognize the valuable role that volunteers’ play in organizations’ and nonprofits’ in our area. We believe that if we can make it more effortless to find volunteer opportunities that individuals feel passionate about, it can unleash an untapped source of talent and energy in our amazing community that has yet to be fully discovered. 

So why volunteer? You’re not only benefiting your community when you volunteer, there are countless benefits for you, as well. You are going to meet like-minded people. Individuals who genuinely care about their community and those living in it. You might meet people who can help you achieve future goals. Volunteering is a free networking opportunity! When you volunteer, you’re also gaining free education, training, and skills that can be applied to future jobs, and even in your personal life. You will probably feel a great sense of accomplishment and gratification knowing that you are making a difference. 

So, what are you waiting for?! If you’re like most of us, you probably feel like you don’t have enough time in your day. I can definitely relate to that. But the beauty of volunteering is that you can donate one hour, one day or one week of your time- it is completely up to you! So, if you would like to get involved, go online to www.sandpointcommunityresource.com/volunteer.html and click on the Volunteer Match button. Or, reach out to JoAnna Quick, our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or 208-255-4025. She’d love to chat with you! Check back next week for some success stories from local volunteers and hear why they love giving back.