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Looking to improve your health this summer? Try volunteering
Did you know volunteering can lead to improved mental and physical health?
In a recent study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, researchers found that people who volunteer consistently experience a higher sense of purpose and worth compared to non-volunteers. The research, along with many other studies on the topic, also connects physical benefits to volunteerism, such as lower mortality rates and improved physical activity.
Perhaps this is because volunteering connects people to meaningful work outside of themselves. The ability to be part of a positive impact in one’s community and serve those in need makes a huge difference.
United Way of Central Indiana is making it easy for you to volunteer in your community – connecting you to those improved health benefits and meaningful impact.
On June 24, United Way is hosting its second Go All IN Day, a day of volunteerism and community service across all seven of our counties in the region. United Way is working with local nonprofits and community groups to organize local service projects, and we are encouraging individuals, families and employers to sign up to complete them.
Volunteer opportunities will be tailored to various skill levels and interests. There is bound to be a perfect opportunity for any person, family or company wishing to make a difference and join hundreds of volunteers throughout Central Indiana on that day.
During last year’s Go All IN Day, students and faculty from DePauw University assembled care kits for homebound seniors by filling grocery totes with essential household items. That’s just one example out of more than 70 projects volunteers completed last year in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties.
Volunteering has just as much to do with you as it does for those you serve. It allows you to develop new skills and meet people with like-minded interests and values.
For families, volunteering together can be a fun activity that teaches kids the values of service, leadership and empathy. And for employers, volunteering has been shown to improve workplace morale and employee purpose and productivity.
If you would like to experience the positive outcomes associated with volunteerism, both internal and external, please join us for Go All IN Day on June 24.
You can sign up online at goallinday.com. To find volunteer projects in your community throughout the year, please visit www.volunteercentralindiana.org.
Chris Flegal is United Way of Central Indiana’s community relations director for Putnam, Hendricks and Morgan counties. You can reach him at chris.flegal@uwci.org.