Volunteer

Volunteerism plays a huge role in the impact of building a caring community. The Volunteer Connection of the United Way for the Wabash Valley assists in providing those opportunities.  The mission of the Volunteer Connection is to encourage and promote quality volunteerism throughout the Wabash Valley.  Our efforts in connecting volunteers with agencies and organizations in need of assistance provide the services to those in need and is one small way in which we fulfill our part of the bigger community picture.

As a volunteer, you provide the services necessary for those in need to receive from the prospective agency or organization, but you’re also providing much more.  You’re providing the unspoken messages that say to someone, “You matter and we care.”  That kind of a message can transcend our community to strengthen and improve itself.
Volunteering is not only beneficial to the agencies and organizations but, on an individual basis, it also can help build self-esteem, instill responsibilities, provide social values and foster a commitment by giving back to the community through service.

Anyone can volunteer.  In most cases you don’t need specialized training.  Some volunteer opportunities require some background checks and possible training.
You can share your time and talents in various ways to volunteer.  In the “traditional” mode of volunteering you provide time and talent to an agency or organization to assist them in providing services to those in need.  In a “non-traditional” mode you can allow yourself to think outside the box.  The sky’s the limit.

Check with an agency, organization or The Volunteer Connection to see what the need is, before you begin the project, then check with your church, school or office to see if you can place boxes in designated areas for the project.  Mark the boxes with the specifics of your project, e.g., collecting new/used clothing, food, school supplies and backpacks, winter accessories:  hats, gloves, mittens or animal supplies for and name the specific agency.  These are examples of just a few of the things you as an individual or with a group could do—it’s another way to volunteer.  You’re still assisting the agencies and organizations to allow them to continue their service to the community.

You may want to consider another way to volunteer, which is to adopt an agency.  To adopt an agency or organization you need to check with a few agencies that you’re interested in assisting and see if your group can help them for the next three, six months or for the entire year!  If an agency needs help in planting flowers, set a date and time that your group can be there.  If an agency needs help in fundraising efforts, ask what your group can do.  You may contact an agency or organization directly or The Volunteer Connection to learn more about ways to volunteer.

We look forward to assisting you in your volunteer search and adventures.

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