Volunteers are a very special breed. They're not afraid to step in when they see the need. They're always willing to lend a hand, To lift someone up who's sinking in quicksand. They always have something encouraging to say, And they manage to say it in the kindest way. They share their skills, talents and time. And in return, they don't ask for a dime. So the next time you meet with some volunteers, Shake their hands, and let them know you're happy they're here.
When you live in a community like Liberty County, you do not have to look far to see volunteers' hands at work. Our community benefits from volunteers in so many ways. Volunteers raise money and awareness to fight terrible diseases. They feed the hungry and protect those being abused. Keep Liberty Beautiful volunteers take care of our environment and encourage others to do so as well. We should celebrate volunteers every day.
At Keep Liberty Beautiful, our programming absolutely depends on the involvement of volunteers, but many community services do as well. Obviously, volunteering is a positive experience for organizations and for the community. Still, volunteering also provides many positive benefits for volunteers too.
Involvement can offer some clear benefits over time to youth volunteers and to their families. By doing things that interest them, teens often gain new skills. They can explore potential career opportunities that they hadn't thought of before. It can also broaden their understanding of the world and give them insight into concerns and problems that others less fortunate have.
Significant research demonstrates many powerful benefits of volunteering for youth. In a summary report by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service, it is noted that youth who volunteer for just one hour a week or more are fifty percent less likely to abuse alcohol or cigarettes, become pregnant, or engage in other destructive behaviors. The report also cites the benefits of character development noted in youth volunteering:
- Learning to respect others
- Learning to be helpful and kind
- Learning to understand and accept others who are different
- Developing leadership skills
- Developing patience
- Developing citizenship skills
Expanding those characteristics would be beneficial for all of us, young or old. Research also suggests numerous benefits for the 30 million seniors who are over 55 who currently volunteer. "Volunteering keeps people mentally active; it keeps their weight in check, their heart-healthy, and their memory sharp," according to Sharon Brangman, MD, chief of geriatrics at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. "Essentially, it's a drug-free way to keep you feeling young." Here are some of the ways helping others can help you: Keep moving around (it may not be a workout, but it gets your blood flowing and keeps your muscles active); lowering your blood pressure; burning more calories which can help with obesity, and obesity-related illnesses.
Volunteering as a family is also a great way to stay connected as your children grow and an excellent way to develop strong relationships with all of your family members. Keep Liberty Beautiful just celebrated this year's 3,200 plus valuable volunteers at our Annual Volunteer Appreciation last week. Over 200 businesses, school, churches, and groups partnered with Keep Liberty Beautiful so far during this fiscal year, which represents the thousands of individuals who have made a difference for our community:
Andy Bennett Allstate Insurance Agent, Applebee's Restaurant, Ardyss KBell , Relay for Life Liberty County, Bell Family, Beta Gamma., Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Fort Stewart / Hunter B.O.S.S., Bradwell Institute Beta Club, Brewer's Tree Farm, Britta D'Angelo, Button Gwinnett Elementary School, Canoochee EMC, Captain Joe's, Chairman Donald Lovette, Chili's Restaurant, Citizens of Georgia Power, Georgia Power, City of Allenhurst, City of Flemington, City of GumBranch, City of Hinesville, City of Hinesville CD Department, City of Hinesville Fire Department, City of Hinesville Police Department, City of Hinesville Water Department, City of Riceboro, City of Walthourville, City of Midway, Classy Ladies Social Club, Clean Coast, Clenton Wells, Coastal Auto and Recycling, Coastal Courier, Coastal DNR, Coastal EMC, Coastal Wildscapes, Connection Church Men of Honor, City Councilwomen Diana F. Reid, City Councilwomen Vicky Nelson, City Councilmen Keith Jenkins, Curtis Velasco, Willa Lewis, Willie Cato, David C. Sapp, Dennis Fitzgerald, Dorchester Academy, Dorchester Civic Center, Earl White, Barry McCaffrey Parkway Neighbors, East End Community, East Liberty American Legion, Eleven Black Men of Liberty County, ESG, Inc., Farmer's Natural Foods, First African Missionary Church of Riceboro, First Anderson Grove, First Zion Missionary, Fletcher Family, Forest Lake Neighborhood, Fort Stewart School Age Center, Frank Long Elementary School, Friends of Isle of Wight, FS/HAAF Recycling Program, Full Gospel Tabernacle, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Recycling Coalition, GeoVista Credit Union, GICH, Girl Scout Troop #30002, Goodwill of the Coastal Empire, Greene Family, Greenshortz, Harris Ace Hardware, Harrison Heights Neighbors, Highsmith Foundation, Hinesville Area Arts Council, Hinesville Area Board of Realtors, Hinesville Cubs Pack500, Hinesville Downtown Development Authority, Hinesville Housing Authority, Hinesville Veteran's Housing, Homeschoolers of Hinesville/Ft. Stewart, Hourglass 113, Jimmy and Brigitte Shanken, John Henderson, Johnson Family, Joseph Martin Elementary School, Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority Inc., Kappa Lambda Chi Military Fraternity Inc., Keep America Beautiful, Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Kings of Steem, LLC, Kingz Motorcycle Club, Ladies of Character Organization, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Laurel Growth 118, Larry Logan, Laura Woodworth, Lewis Frasier Middle School, Lexington Subdivision, Liberty County 4-H, Liberty County Board of Commissioners Liberty County Board of Education, Liberty County Building Maintenance, Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, Liberty County CVB, Liberty County EMS, Liberty County High School, Coastal Georgia Minority Chamber Of Commerce, Liberty County Public Works, Liberty County Recreation Department, Liberty County Recycling, Liberty County Solid Waste, Liberty County Transit, Liberty Elementary School, Lyman Hall Elementary School, Manuela Keel, Masonic Lodge, Midway Middle School, Mayor Larry Baker, Mayor Levern Clancy, Jr., Mayor Allen Brown, Mayor Thomas G. Hines, Mayor Paul Hawkins, Mayor Richard Strickland, Mayor Joe Harris, Mission Possible Team Connection Church, Morning Glory Garden Club, Navy Federal Credit Union, New Day Community Church, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., P. Nash Family, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Omega Sigma, FS Chapter, Pine Ridge Neighborhood, Pizza Peddler's, Riceboro Public Works, Rivers Alive State Program, Rotary Club of Hinesville, Rykard Family, Savannah Tech Automotive Club, Shred-It, Snelson Golden Middle School, SNF Holding Company, South Georgia Kings, Southland Knights Motorcycle Club, SEGA, St. Joseph's/Chandler Immediate Care, Stanley D. Highsmith Foundation, Street Dreamz Motorcycle Club, T.E.L.L., T.R. Long Engineering, Target Distribution Center, Taylor's Creek Elementary School, The Heritage Bank, Timber Ridge Neighborhood, Friends of Colonel's Island, Top Ladies of Distinction, Top Teens of America, Trendsetterz Motorcycle Club, Tru Ryderz MC Hinesville, GA, Vaden Nissan of Hinesville, VIP Business Products, VIP Promotional Products, South Georgia Bank, Waldo Pafford Elementary School, Walthourville Police Department, Wilson Family, Woodland Lakes Neighborhood, Yeoman's Road Neighborhood, Y.M.C.A., Fellowship of Love, Sigma Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Ft. Stewart Red Cross Red Club, Residents of Lexington Subdivision, 1-800 Got Junk, Soldiers United MC, Untouchable Queenz Social Club, Crown Rydaz Automotive Club, Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission (LCPC), Bethel AME Church, Team Nitro, Bridging The Gap, Girl Scout Troop 30172, Front Runnerz & A Plus Realty, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Nu Rho Omega Chapter, Kingz MC, Sisters of Society, BOOSTED CLIQUE, 5th Quarter Athletics, Betta Gamma Gamma Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Seniors of Walthourville, Liberty Landscaping Material, The Greene Family, The Rykard Family, Boat Captains Phil Grainey , Dustin Wright, Michael Mack, Mike St Onge, Jake Rozier , Mike Womble, Lynne Edwards , Marcus Sacks, Carl Ericsson, and Josh Wheeler, The Rozier Family, Youman's Road Neighbors, Chatham Parkway Subaru, The Hodges Family, The Fletcher Family, Rapolla Family, Maria Fragosa, The Liberty County Cosmopolitan Club, Liberty County Sheriff's Office, Savannah Shredding , Interstate Credit Union, and of course, the Keep Liberty Beautiful Advisory Board.
Shake a Volunteer's Hand By Kelly Roper