Volunteering
Volunteering is a form of altruism, where an individual or group of people provide services for no financial or social gain. It is a selfless act of giving back to the community, and it is often done out of a sense of civic responsibility, or to promote the well-being of others. Volunteering can take many forms, from helping out at a local charity or community organization, to providing assistance in a natural disaster or emergency situation. It can also involve teaching, mentoring, or providing support to those in need.
History of Volunteering
The concept of volunteering has been around for centuries, with records of people helping out in their communities dating back to ancient times. In the United States, the first volunteer fire department was established in 1736 in Philadelphia, and the first volunteer ambulance service was established in 1869 in New York City. In the 20th century, the concept of volunteering was further developed, with the establishment of organizations such as the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps. Today, volunteering is a popular way for people to give back to their communities, and it is estimated that over 60 million Americans volunteer each year.
Comparison of Volunteering
Type of Volunteering | Number of Volunteers |
---|---|
Local Charities | 25 million |
Community Organizations | 15 million |
Natural Disasters | 10 million |
Emergency Situations | 5 million |
Teaching/Mentoring | 3 million |
Support for Those in Need | 2 million |
Summary
Volunteering is a selfless act of giving back to the community, and it is estimated that over 60 million Americans volunteer each year. It can take many forms, from helping out at a local charity or community organization, to providing assistance in a natural disaster or emergency situation. For more information about volunteering, visit websites such as VolunteerMatch.org, Serve.gov, and AllForGood.org.
See Also
- Altruism
- Civic Responsibility
- Peace Corps
- AmeriCorps
- Volunteer Fire Department
- Volunteer Ambulance Service
- VolunteerMatch.org
- Serve.gov
- AllForGood.org
- Philanthropy