Just imagine a little child suffering from a complex heart disease about which doctors have virtually given up hope but are trying their very best at the same time. He lies there cheerful and happy not knowing what is going on surrounded by disturbed parents and relations. Does not your heart go out to help…to just brighten his day by playing with him or telling stories or even raising funds for a very expensive surgery. If that child survives the trauma and comes out healthy would not the joy be tremendous but even if the outcome is disappointing, you will have the satisfaction that you did your best.

Volunteering for hospitals is a very satisfying job and you will have many opportunities available. You may even use it on your resume or college application as proof that you are a compassionate and caring person. If you need a reference like that, you may ask for a letter of recommendation from your volunteer supervisor. You may call or visit your local hospital to find out about their volunteer program and probably fill an application and a background check would be done. After approval you may sign up for volunteer shifts as per your convenience. You may also provide dolls or blankets for deserving patients and could also plan a one day visit as a group or with your family to brighten someone’s day. The stress of illness is truly very frustrating and the aid of volunteers is really appreciated and gratefully accepted. If you can put a smile of hope on a saddened face…the satisfaction you receive is truly invaluable.

Just imagine a world where no one volunteered…think of what would have happened if after the Tsunami hit the coasts of Asia, nobody bothered and everyone refused to help, if there were no voluntary doctors, no voluntary help rendered. It would truly have been a sad state of affairs. Volunteering has become a part and parcel of society and it is truly unimaginable to think of a world without it.

Let us consider some scenarios without volunteers. If there were no volunteer coaches or organizers, social and sport activities would be largely affected and there probably would be no sporting events, rugby matches, athletics, no Olympic games, the list is surely endless. Without voluntary fund raisers and organizers would it be possible to host music events, pop concerts or festivals? Imagine what we would do without the free medical advice available to people around the world with so many doctors volunteering? People would die in large numbers if we never had the Red Cross, cave and mountain rescue teams and the Samaritans. We may not have such a beautiful environment if people refused to volunteer and landscape, beautiful places and wildlife would surely be neglected. Huge numbers of old and disabled people and destitute children would be lonely and depressed.

Volunteering is important also because it helps you personally. Volunteering helps to alleviate stress helps you enjoy good health since you have a sense of achievement and satisfaction and studies have even proved that you get a peaceful night’s rest.