National Volunteer Week, April 6-12 A Time to Give Back to Community

National Volunteer Week is April 6-12, 2014 – a great time to take action and discover opportunities to give back and make a difference in your community. During National Volunteer Week, Central Bucks Family YMCA joins the nation in encouraging individuals to seek ways to give back, while honoring those who dedicate themselves to helping strengthen communities.

“At the Y, volunteers play such a key role by supporting the vital programs and services we provide to individuals and families. We see firsthand how giving back impacts not only the community, but the volunteer involved,” said Karen Birmingham, the Y’s director of volunteer engagement. “In fact, a recent Gallup poll showed that nine out of 10 people said they receive an emotional boost from doing kind things for other people. When activated, that kind of emotional boost from contributing to the community goes from something you do to a part of who you are.” 

As one of the leading nonprofits and volunteer organizations in the country, the Y offers individuals and families opportunities to volunteer in ways that let them connect and develop meaningful relationships, all while making an impact in communities they care about. Here in Doylestown, the Y’s volunteers helped paint and clean Tabor Children’s House and load housing materials at Habitat for Humanity. Many more opportunities exist for others to help make a difference.

National Volunteer Week is a great time to get involved. Here are five ways individuals can take an active role at the Y and in their community:

1. Join a special committee that matches your skills or interests.
2. Coach a sports team, teach a class or ask about other ways to get involved with a program of your interest.
3. Help with fundraising efforts to ensure that essential programs and services are accessible to everyone in need.
4. Get involved with a mentoring or tutoring program to help motivate and encourage youth to reach their potential.
5. Inspire others to find ways they, too, can give back to the community. 

To learn more about volunteer opportunities through Central Bucks Family YMCA, contact Birmingham at 215.348.8131, x1186 or kbirmingham@cbfymca.org.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.