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Health & Fitness

Why Do We Give?

Being a good neighbor is part belonging to a community. Within our county we have over 700 non profit organizations providing services to our communities and they can use your help.

Tis' the season to be thankful, and right around the corner the season to give. Not just giving gifts to families and friends, but end-of-the-year donations.

What about the folks that give all year with very little recognition? Why do they? I attended a Volunteer Management workshop this week, and learned some interesting facts about new trends in volunteering. 

Did you know, students required to have volunteer hours are less likely to keep a philanthropic spirit than those not required to volunteer? Research surveys back up this fact! Manatee County does not require service hours for graduation.

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Any college bound student knows it is essential for a well balanced college application. Families volunteering together is something new. Guess who are starting to be the biggest population of volunteers? Baby boomers, slowly gaining on the senior volunteer population.

So why do you volunteer? Are you the person spending one on one time at a nursing home? Are you with a group working on a large project together? Do you quietly read to someone or shout over the sound of power tools on a job? Do you volunteer for the social aspect of it, or are you more private with your volunteering?

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Are you considering giving some of your time to volunteer?

Let me encourage you to find someplace to volunteer that you can make a difference. Ask yourself what type of jobs you get the most satisfaction from.

Spend time contemplating what it is that you give away that brings you satisfaction. If you want recognition, there are volunteer opportunities with built-in recognition programs.

If you are a more private person, there are plenty of behind the scene jobs in your community that need you.

Being a good neighbor is part belonging to a community. Within our county we have over 700 non profit organizations providing services to our communities and they can use your help. Give, volunteer, make a difference!

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