The case for volunteering on Sacramento’s annual Big Day of Giving | Opinion

The Sacramento area’s Big Day of Giving is May 1 — a day when local families are urged to support their favorite organizations serving the region. Many people give through financial contributions and every little bit helps. But giving the gift of your time helps just as much.

Volunteerism has incredible benefits for individuals, but it can be just as rewarding for the community. It boosts the local economy, improves public health and strengthens the job market.

Economic benefits of volunteering

Large events that are heavily reliant upon volunteers, for example, are believed to significant boosts to the local economy. The California Capital Airshow at Mather Airport, which has more than 1,000 volunteers, reported an economic impact of $7.1 million for the Sacramento area.

Meanwhile, for a food bank, church or other charitable organization, volunteers provide willing hands to do the many tasks that need to be done. This can go a long way in furthering an organization’s mission.

In fact, a study by the University of Maryland determined that the value of one hour of volunteer work in California was $38.61 in 2023. And it was estimated that, in 2022, approximately 75.7 million American volunteers contributed nearly 5 billion hours of service, creating an economic value of $167.2 billion.

Across the 38 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, including the United States, volunteering caused an economic boost equal to 1.9% of gross domestic product.

The Administration on Community Living, which falls under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, found that volunteers in Medicare assistance programs throughout the states served more than one million hours in a single grant year, which is the equivalent of more than 500 full-time workers. It’s not a stretch to say volunteers are essential to Medicare’s effectiveness, as well as countless other groups that partner with governments to provide essential services.

Great for your health

Volunteering is good for an individual’s health. Studies in the United Kingdom have found that volunteering actually saves an astounding 2.5 million sick days a year, and the Mayo Clinic Health System reported that volunteering can improve both physical and mental health, especially for seniors. It lowers mortality rates and reduces stress, which in turn reduces individual health care costs and relieves stress on the health care system.

Meanwhile, another British study reported that nearly eight out of 10 people felt stronger unity in their community and were introduced to people of different backgrounds as a result of volunteering.

Unseen volunteerism

While volunteerism can often conjure images of well-organized events that attract significant attention and peer recognition, there’s also the often unseen (but still important) work that can perhaps go unnoticed.

For example, non-profit organization Sacramento Steps Forward partners with local, state and federal agencies to help resolve homelessness. According to their 2021-23 annual report, the organization relies on volunteers who canvass homeless encampments within the Sacramento region to ensure an accurate point-in-time count of unsheltered individuals. This count is vital to help community members and elected officials better understand the disproportionate impacts of homelessness and help secure federal resources necessary to connect more people to shelter.

Volunteering provides job training

Volunteering can also provide excellent job training by providing volunteers with new skills and connecting businesses and local causes that might be looking to hire with qualified individuals. This is particularly important now, as the federal government threatens widespread cuts of government services, which will leave an even bigger need in communities for volunteer work.

On this year’s Big Day of Giving, please remember that giving comes in many forms. Volunteering your time and your hard work can make a big difference in furthering the mission of your favorite charitable organization.