Volunteering epitomises selflessness.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However many volunteers are quick to use the word selfish to describe their actions.
Not in a negative sense, but rather they believe they get so much more from their service than what they give.
Service, pride, support and care are all values that are innate in our volunteers.
On Saturday, as we vicariously attended a royal wedding, we were reminded about the power of love.
How love could change the world.
Volunteers know that when you give a little love, you’ll get a lot of love in return.
Volunteering Tasmania chief executive officer Alison Lai summed up the definition and importance of volunteers perfectly.
“Volunteering is not measured through the number of hours people give, but by the impact of what they’re doing,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter if you are giving one hour a week, a few hours each month, one day a year or more, collectively volunteers are contributing an estimated $4.9 billion dollars to Tasmania each year and making a difference, and for this we thank them all.”
Unfortunately some people in our community take advantage of this generosity or fail to respect the good work happening in our community.
The recent theft at the Launceston Surf Life Saving Club is a great example of opportunistic thieves negatively impacting the goodwill and vital service these volunteers provide.
Surf lifesaver Geoff Lyons said he has assisted more than 100 people in the water who were at risk of drowning. He didn’t get paid a cent. There a hundreds of others like Geoff Lyons who risk their lives to help others.
Vandalism and theft is a blow to the volunteers who dedicate their own time to improve the lives and community for others. Despite these fall backs, people keep giving their time. It’s because their values are strong and they can see the impact that hour a week or a day a year is having on their community.
To those who serve day in and day out, we say thank you. Thanks for filling gaps in services, providing entertainment, fundraising for worthwhile causes and offering fellowship to many. For those who are thinking of volunteering, please consider acting on those thoughts.
The world is a better place because of our tireless and passionate volunteers.