Editorial

For volunteers, to give is to get

Posted

Since April is National Volunteer Month, let’s consider what volunteering really is: a vital part of every community — not only an age-old tradition of providing services that make life better for the most vulnerable members of society, but also a mutually beneficial relationship that pays dividends for those who give as well as those they provide for.

Volunteerism covers a wide array of activities: church groups; food pantries; service organizations, like the local Rotary, Lions Club, Hibernians and Knights of Columbus; school boards; emergency response units, like fire departments and ambulance teams; and mental health services, like suicide hotlines. All of these entities are essential to their communities and can exist only because of volunteers.

School districts’ boards of education play a crucial role in our children’s education, balancing the needs of the schools and their students with the resources of the community. School board trustee can be a difficult, thankless job, with fierce debates often accompanying the discussion of key issues, but these volunteers’ commitment keeps the conversation going and provides a vital link between our schools and the public. If serving on a school board interests you, the deadline for candidacy is April 20.

Fires, auto accidents and other emergencies are a fact of life in our crowded, fast-paced suburbs, and villages and towns that have volunteer firefighters are always looking for more to train. On April 25 and 26, fire departments across the state will welcome community members to see where they work, what they do and how we can help.

The benefits for people served by firefighters and paramedics are immense and obvious, as they are for those in need of a safety net, whether their need is food, clothing or other services. What might be less obvious are the myriad benefits to the volunteers who provide those services.

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