4 Reasons Why Volunteers Can’t Help Volunteering Again and Again

4 Reasons Why Volunteers Can’t Help Volunteering Again and Again

Ever wondered why most people who start volunteering never stop doing it despite the fact that they don’t seem to get any solid returns? The idea of working for free isn’t exciting at all to most people.

Besides working for free, many people lead busy lives with very little to no free time to spare for their families let alone volunteering. So why do volunteers seem to love volunteering? Well, volunteering has many intangible benefits which are more rewarding than money.

1. Volunteering connects you to others

Volunteering helps you connect with your community more than anything else. Volunteers understand this which is why they can’t help but do it over and over again. Volunteering gives you access to people from all walks of life. You make new friends as well as strengthen existing relationships.

Volunteering connects you with people if you are new in an area. It enlarges your support network and brings you closer to people who have the same interests as you. You also get an opportunity to boost your social skills. If you hardly have time to socialize at work like most people today, volunteering will be perfect for you.

Cole, Kate, and other community members volunteering for the fight against Crohn's Disease.

2. It brings happiness

People also like volunteering because it brings happiness. If you’re in search of happiness like most people, you have a higher chance of finding happiness volunteering than looking for ways to make more money. Helping other brings happiness to oneself. There are many studies attesting to this fact. One such study involved a group of researchers from the London School of Economics who were conducting a Social Science and Medicine study. While examining the relationship between happiness and volunteering among a group of American adults, the researchers discovered that the odds of being happy increase as you volunteer more. Weekly volunteers are the happiest and the hike in happiness can be compared to having a $75,000 to $100,000 income vs. $20,000.

3. Volunteering is fun and fulfilling

Many volunteers also volunteer because it brings joy and fulfillment in life. At the end of it all, life is all about having fun and filling fulfilled. Typical jobs/tasks in life are never fun and satisfying regardless of the amount of money you earn from them. Doing volunteer work is meaningful and fun. It’s a great way to renew your creativity, vision and motivation to keep pursuing your professional and personal goals in life. This in itself is fulfilling. Many people who have the habit of volunteering do it as a hobby. Most people don’t get much from their hobbies apart from fun and fulfillment.

Picture of volunteer students.

4. Volunteering has amazing health benefits

According to the US Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), volunteering has amazing individual health benefits on top of the social benefits one enjoys. In a CNCS report on health benefits of volunteering, there is a strong link between volunteering and low mortality and depression rates later in life.

Volunteering also improves a person’s functional ability. Research also indicates that older volunteers (adults) get the most health benefits.

This can be attributed to the fact that volunteering involves some physical activity and gives you purpose which is linked to psychological benefits like reduced stress, anxiety, and anger levels. Volunteering also combats depression. When you are in contact with others regularly, you tend to develop a firm support system.


Volunteering may not seem appealing to many people at first glance because you don’t get financial rewards from doing it. However, there are many intangible benefits you stand to gain which are way better than money.

Whether it’s volunteering in your neighborhood, community or child’s school, you stand to gain a lot as you help others. There are very few sources of true happiness and fulfillment in life. Volunteering is one of them. Furthermore, you get to connect with people, boost your health and have fun in the process.