*

Jeff Dorris

Deliberations from Dorris

Jeff Dorris is the Editor of the Delta Dunklin Democrat

Editorial

Volunteering is in decline

Saturday, August 6, 2022

“What can I do to help?”

It’s an important question that we all should be asking.

Volunteering is definitely in decline.

According to numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, volunteering has been in a steady decline since 2003.

The BLS figures indicate a number of trends.

People with a bachelor’s degree or higher volunteer more than those without, individuals with good paying jobs volunteer more than those who struggle, women donate more time than men, and people age 35 to 54 volunteer more than those in other age groups.

There are many benefits from volunteering.

By giving back you can gain new skills and stay connected to your community.

Area festivals and nursing homes benefit greatly from volunteers.

In fact, many events wouldn’t happen if not for volunteers.

Volunteering is a habit that needs to be established at a young age. According to BLS, just 21 percent of people age 16 to 24 volunteer.

I know through my work with the Rotary Club of Kennett how vital volunteering is.

It just makes you feel good, and if it makes the volunteer feel good, imagine how it makes those being helped feel?

Volunteer.

It’s the right thing to do.

Besides, we might all be volunteering as the bucket brigade if we can’t get our hydrant issues corrected.

See you out there.

Comments
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: