The Benefits of Volunteering Together As a Family

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. - Dr. Seuss (The Lorax)

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. - Albert Einstein

Juggling work, school, errands and everyone’s social lives is a real challenge in today’s families. The whirl of activity can catch us up into our own world and all the things we need to do, causing us to neglect those who are less fortunate. Sadly, statistics show that only one in four Americans spends any time volunteering. However, carving out time for occasional volunteer work can be infinitely rewarding and is so important to teach kids about from an early age.

TOGETHERNESS

One benefit of volunteering as a family is that it allows for meaningful quality time together because it involves communication and teamwork. And that, in turn, can help build stronger bonds. Kansas City, MO, mom Dot Beckham says that it’s “great bonding” time and “the kids really do enjoy serving together.” Also, when you volunteer together as a family, you put screens and their distractions aside. An added bonus is that volunteer work is an inexpensive family outing. Having quality time together and helping others is a win-win.

INTROSPECTION

Doing charitable work provides ample opportunity to teach kids and teens how others may have much less than they do and to be thankful for what they have. It shows them what it means to make a difference and to build community. It helps instill traits such as selflessness, gratefulness, generosity, awareness and empathy. Olathe mom Deb Clegg says she and her family like volunteering because it allows them to take the focus off themselves and put it onto others. Kansas City, MO, mom Tiffany Koontz and her daughter recently helped out at Harvesters in the BackSnack program, which involves packing backpacks with nutritious food for kids to take home on the weekends. Not long after, Koontz’s daughter noticed some kids at school receiving those backpacks. She found it encouraging to see directly the difference she was making, and Mom says it was a good reminder to her daughter of all the luxuries she has.

LEARNING

Volunteering allows kids (and often parents) to develop new skills, everything from cooking, construction work and gardening to organization, management and problem solving. Likewise, volunteering can help you learn new social skills and improve upon existing ones. Clegg says she loves “seeing the talents in [her] kids come out in fresh ways. Their leadership, creativity, obedience, patience and compassion grow each time.” Volunteering teaches kids and adults how to be more comfortable in their own skin and gives them the courage to leave their comfort zone. Charitable work also helps instill a good work ethic and boosts self-confidence and self-esteem. It may lead to new friendships for both parents and kids. For older teens and college students, philanthropic work looks good on college applications—and on resumes too! In fact, 60 percent of hiring managers see volunteerism as a valuable asset when making hiring decisions. Volunteer work can also offer a chance to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment.

MEMORIES

One unexpected and often overlooked benefit of volunteering is making memories. Beckham says that her kids “always talk about it after, things that happened, things people have said, the experience.” Charitable work is a prime opportunity to make unforgettable memories. One way that many families do this is volunteering together around the holidays. And it’s not always just immediate family but extended family as well. Instead of having a big meal for Thanksgiving, why not volunteer together at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter? Or instead of buying gifts for each other for Christmas, why not adopt a needy family and buy gifts for them instead? My own family has done this, and we still talk about how fun it was when we shopped for the gifts together. Plus, we all felt so blessed afterward. Another way to make memories with charity work is to go on a missions trip as a family with your local church or take a humanitarian trip with any number of great organizations. Traveling and being immersed in different cultures always leads to memorable moments.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Philanthropy is really beneficial for your mind and body. It releases all of those feel-good endorphins. Not only is it fun, but it leaves you with a smile knowing you have helped others with a job well done. As Helen Keller famously said, “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.'' Volunteering helps combat stress, anxiety, anger and depression because it allows for meaningful connection with others. Volunteering also provides a sense of purpose, keeps you physically healthy and aids in mental stimulation. Research conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health indicates that volunteers spent 38 percent fewer nights in the hospital than non-volunteers. Other research shows that people who volunteer 100 hours or more a year are some of the healthiest (and happiest) people in the United States, and their mortality rate is lower than those who do not volunteer. Human beings are hardwired to give to others. The more we give, the happier we feel. Being a blessing to others results in being blessed yourself. Koontz likes knowing that she and her family are “doing [their] part to make the world a better place.''

Hannah Berry lives in Kansas City and enjoys giving her time to various nonprofits around the city.