Why Volunteer

• help someone
• feel needed
• make a difference
• gain or improve skills 
• to help a friend
• make better use of their spare time
• know a new neighborhood
• test themselves
• be an agent of change
• explore a career
• have fun
• do something different from their job
• demonstrate commitment to a cause
• keep busy
• do something with a family member
• do one's share
• do something they love
• donate their professional skills
• have an impact
• make new friends
• get recognition
• get a better balance in life
• get a work experience
• give something back to the society 
• do their civic duty
• be with people who are different
• relieve yourself of unpleasant feelings like loneliness
• be part of a team
• be an advocate for a campaign cause
• feel good
• address personal experience with a problem
• address concern for the client group
• gain access to services themselves
• be challenged to do something they have not done or are involved with.
• experiment
• feel proud
• stand up and be counted

People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons, especially wanting to help others. But it's also OK to want some benefits for you from volunteering

In the past, it was thought that individuals volunteered strictly for altruistic reasons. However, recent studies have indicated that there may be other reasons, including:

• To build your resume; to develop skills or to learn new skills; to make career contacts
• To feel better about yourself; to feel needed and feel like you are making a contribution
• To act in a socially desired way (i.e.) helping those less fortunate
• To allow you to act on deeply held beliefs about the importance of helping others