April 16 – 22 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week and is an opportunity to pause and reflect on all the volunteers who touch our lives. From our MCVFD firefighters to Jon Wolz our local C&O Canal Association volunteer guide, to your WUMCO volunteers and your volunteer Town Elected Officials, our lives are touched and improved every day by their generosity in sharing their time, talent, and voice to make a difference in our community. We salute and thank them!
As a nonprofit, Poolesville Seniors’ volunteers are the heart and soul of our mission. We depend on the generous donations of time and talent that our volunteers provide to accomplish our mission of keeping seniors socially, mentally and physically active. From our volunteer Board of Directors to our volunteer presenters, and those volunteers who assist in our events and committees, Poolesville Seniors benefits greatly because of the dedicated service of these individuals.
Poolesville Seniors is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. With the aid of a fulltime Executive Director, the Board directs and manages the corporation, develops, and presents a myriad of programs, and searches for funding to keep the organization afloat. We could not accomplish any of this without your help.
In addition to the added benefit to our community, the personal benefits of volunteering are many:
Volunteering Decreases Your Stress. As the Mayo Clinic’s “6 Health Benefits of Volunteering” article notes, interacting with new people and donating your time to help others develops a new sense of appreciation for yourself. Learning to appreciate your contributions to the community not only decreases your stress, but it teaches you healthy ways to manage your time and biggest priorities.
Increases Your Confidence. Confidence comes from having the courage to help others through volunteering your talents and the opportunity to discover and develop new skills. In addition, you will have a sense of satisfaction and pride in the impact your time and talents have on the ones you serve.
Expands Your Connections. Many have felt a loss of connectivity, with a move, retirement or during the isolation of the Covid pandemic. Volunteering opens new doors that can help you make great new friends and connects you with a side of your community that you might not otherwise have a chance to meet.
So, to celebrate National Volunteer Week, thank a volunteer or even better, become one! To volunteer with Poolesville Seniors, sign up on our volunteer notification email list by clicking here and we can email you when needs arise, or send your contact information, special interests or talents and how much time you want to donate to info@poolesvilleseniors.org.