We Volunteer the Most In a Recession
I write about giving, a lot. I always say, “Giving is living,” and I still like to believe (even though I’m jaded) that deep down, there is still goodness in people.
My deep down beliefs are (surprisingly, often) verified.
A recent study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that about 63.4 million people ages 16 and older volunteered at least once between September 2008 and September 2009. This is a 1.6 million increase from volunteering in 2008.
That’s about one in four Americans who volunteer.
So we talk shit about our country; what we do wrong, how we do it wrong and the bad people, but I also like to hear and report on the good news too. I’m right there with the cynics. I’ve lived abroad – I know the comparison between varying policies, beliefs and people. But really – you know what you focus on can grow. Don’t ever underestimate.
From an age perspective, volunteers who are 65 and older typically worked about 90 hours during the year, while those 25 to 34 years old typically volunteered 36 hours annually.
I currently volunteer and am involved with three organizations, another one last year, and continually meet with people (often strangers, passed along to me) looking for jobs or to help acclimate them to Boulder (my own volunteer project I’ve taken on). I don’t really have time, but I make the time because it’s important, worth it and I’m passionate about it.
“In this time of economic distress, the need for service and volunteering is more critical today than ever before, and Americans are responding,” said Stephen Goldsmith, board chairman of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
So how do you respond? Are you finding you volunteered more in between layoffs, working part time or helping others out in times of need?
Note: The BLS and the Census Bureau collected the data for the report in partnership with the government-run community service corporation, which administers volunteer programs including Senior Corps and AmeriCorps.
