Volunteering locally key to keeping community vibrant

April is Global Volunteer Month to celebrate volunteers and inspire volunteerism in communities large and small.

According to research from AmeriCorps and the U.S. Census Bureau, volunteerism is on the decline. And what’s more, Points of Light, a global nonprofit dedicated to inspiring, equipping and mobilizing people to take action that changes the world, shared that 73% of people believe that volunteering is more important than ever, yet 66% think they can’t make a big impact in their communities. During Global Volunteer Month, advocates are trying to change that perception at the local level.

“Volunteers are crucial to solving pressing challenges, creating vibrant communities and strengthening our social fabric,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of Points of Light. “Every person has something to share or give.”

To boost volunteer engagement during Global Volunteer Month, Points of Light is sharing the following ways you and your family can make a positive impact in your neighborhood or town:

Spread the word: Use the Global Volunteer Month toolkit and the hashtag #GlobalVolunteerMonth to thank volunteers. Be sure to tag a volunteer whose impact you appreciate.

Take the pledge: To show your commitment to volunteering, take Points of Light’s pledge. Then, discover ways to get involved that support your favorite cause and availability using Points of Light Engage, a database featuring hundreds of thousands of volunteer opportunities worldwide, including some in your area. Remember that volunteering doesn’t have to be through a formal organization. Lending a helping hand to a friend, family member or neighbor counts, too. In fact, 70% of volunteer work is carried out locally and informally, without the involvement of any organization, according to the U.N.

Expand your impact: Learn about the Points of Light Civic Circle, a framework that outlines the many forms of civic engagement. These actions include listening and learning, using one’s voice, social entrepreneurship, volunteering, public, national or military service, using one’s purchasing power to express values, working, voting and donating.

Get inspired: Points of Light recognizes ordinary people doing extraordinary things to strengthen communities and solve persistent problems with its Daily Point of Light Award. Know an outstanding volunteer in your community? Nominate them as a Daily Point of Light by visiting pointsoflight.org/dailypointoflight, or to inspire others, share these stories of recent honorees:

Daily Point of Light Award honoree T’Kiyah Threatt is a 21-year-old from Uniontown, Alabama, a town of just more than 2,000 residents. She dove into service as a high school junior when she started working with C.H.O.I.C.E., an organization that ensures young people get needed resources. Three years ago, she became the first president of the Youth Advisory Council and began leading mentoring efforts, going above and beyond to find funds for a scholarship for a deserving mentee. Even after moving away for college, Threatt returns to work with her mentee while recruiting community partners and soliciting program funding.

Daily Point of Light Award honoree Teresa Gerald of Ridgeland, Mississippi, channels her passion for literacy into volunteer work through Friends of the Ridgeland Library, where she has been elected president since 2014, contributing thousands of volunteer hours. Gerald manages, promotes, and works the Friends of the Ridgeland Library Book Sale twice a year. When the library’s funding was cut by $110,000 in the fiscal year 2021-2022, her fundraising efforts with Every Library Institute raised $112,000 in emergency funds.

No matter the scale, Points of Light recognizes the spirit of volunteerism as a driving force of change worldwide.

“We’re celebrating volunteers worldwide all month long and calling on people to take action. Throughout April, lend your time, talent and passion to a cause you care about and invite others to join you, creating a ripple effect of change,” said Sirangelo.