Volunteer in the New Year! USA.gov Helps You Help Others in 2014

Volunteer in the New Year! USA.gov Helps You Help Others in 2014

Volunteer in the New Year! USA.gov Helps You Help Others in 2014

USA.gov sent this bulletin at 12/18/2013 10:52 AM EST

Each year, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to volunteer more. It’s easy for everyday life to quickly get in the way of your desire to help others--so why not pick a way to be of service right now? USA.gov has plenty of resources and ways to help you get started:

• Take the worry out of choosing an organization to help: Concerned about the legitimacy of the group you’re donating your time to? USA.gov’sPublic Service and Volunteerism page lists tons of approved organizations where you can get involved without having to worry that they could be fraudulent. There are also many federal organizations that offer volunteer opportunities, like the Peace Corps or Senior Corps.
• Share your experiences and learn from others: Get ideas and inspiration from other volunteers by checking out United We Serve. Share your own project, and let others know of its progress. You can also match your own interests and location with specific current volunteer opportunities.
• Get your kids involved: It’s crucial that young people know the importance of giving back, in order to continue the cycle of volunteerism. The publication Catch the Spirit provides ideas and information on how students can help make their communities a better place.

Before the new year quickly becomes the spring, take the first step to make volunteering a regular part of your life year-round. Need a specific start date as a kick-off? Martin Luther King Jr. Day(January 20th) has been designated as the national MLK Day of Service. Choose how you can enjoy helping others the most, and start volunteering!