Volunteering and Giving Back: How to Get Involved in Your Community

Cheerful mature adult woman volunteering for community service center.

The season of giving and gratitude is here, and for many people that means helping those in need and connecting with their community.

Whether through volunteering time or resources, giving back has many benefits, including:

  • Community impact: Helping others and making a positive difference.
  • Personal growth: Gaining perspective, finding a sense of purpose, building confidence, gaining experience, and developing skills.
  • Health: Improving mental well-being and reducing stress.
  • Social connections: Meeting new people and strengthening relationships.

There are many organizations that rely on volunteers and donors to achieve their goals and remain productive, so follow these steps to get started with volunteering and giving back.

1. Identify Your Skills and Interests

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Is there anything you’re passionate about, like helping animals, children or the environment?
  • Do you have any special skills or knowledge that could be useful to others, such as cooking, manual labor, teaching or organizing?

Reflect on how your interests and strengths can be used to help others.

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2. Research Opportunities

  • Ask around your network of family, friends and coworkers and see where people you know volunteer.
  • Get in touch with local organizations and ask if they have any volunteer opportunities. Common places that need volunteers include:
  • Use websites like VolunteerMatch or community groups on Facebook to find opportunities.
  • Attend community fairs, meetings and events to learn about local organizations that need help.
  • Join groups or clubs that have philanthropic programs, such as Lions Clubs or Rotary Clubs, or youth programs like 4-H or Scouts.

3. Sign Up and Show Up

Once you find an organization where you’d like to volunteer, simply sign up!

Be reliable and punctual and show up when you commit to help. If you need to cancel or reschedule, inform the organization in advance.

While volunteering, act professionally, complete your tasks to the best of your ability, and ask questions if you’re unsure about your role. Follow all rules, policies and protocols, and treat everyone with respect. Build good relationships with staff and fellow volunteers and work with a collaborative spirit.

Take initiative by offering to help where needed. Be open to changes in plans and be ready to adjust as needed. Keep a positive attitude, even if you’re tasked with something challenging or repetitive.

By following these steps, you can make a meaningful impact and have a rewarding volunteer experience.

Donating Resources is Important, Too

Even if you can’t physically volunteer somewhere, you can still help causes you care about by donating money, supplies, or other needed resources.

  • Most animal shelters are always in need of basic pet essentials like food, litter, bedding, toys and cleaning supplies.
  • Homeless shelters often need clothing, blankets, coats, shoes, laundry supplies, toiletries and bedding.
  • Feeding America makes it easy to find food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens that need food donations.

Colonial Penn Gives Back

Our Team CNO volunteers take part in more than 30 community service events each year, and during CNO Giving Back Days, we aim to deliver more than 1,000 hours of service to local charities. To learn more about our impact in the communities where we live and work, please click here to learn more.  

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