Volunteers are needed to support many on-base and off-base agencies, both on a regular basis and for one-time events. Individual and team efforts are vital throughout the community, in everything from schools to sports, to cultural, charitable, religious and civic activities. Any interest, talent or ability you have can be shared and used to improve yourself and your community. You can make a difference! The benefits of volunteers to our community are many. Approximately 109 million American adults volunteer annually – that’s 56% of all adults. In addition, 59% of teenagers volunteer an average of 3.5 hours per week. All told, volunteers provide an estimated dollar value of 230 billion dollars to benefit their community and society in general. The benefits to the individuals who volunteer are numerous as well. Volunteering can lead to learning new skills, helping you feel needed, helping you meet new people and create new contacts that may help you in your business or career. Volunteering can let you explore a new career possibility, raise your self-esteem and feeling of self-worth, discover a talent or skill you never knew you had, and support your community. Whatever your reason for volunteering, the Airman & Family Readiness Center wants to help you have a fulfilling experience. You might be thinking “how can what little I can do make a difference?” If you have ever helped someone in need, read a story to a young child, or assisted a school child with homework, you know that even that small amount of time and compassion made a difference to that individual. Each of us can right a wrong, fill a plate, visit a shut-in, or help clean up a park – and that does make a difference for us all. Consider that most people find themselves in need at some point in their lives. This week you may be providing some much-needed support and next week you may be the recipient of such assistance. Volunteering also includes “self-help.” So, if you are active in your neighborhood watch, you home is protected while you protect your neighbor’s homes, too. Adding your effort to the work of others makes everyone’s lives better. Volunteer duties are a great addition to your resume. When completing your resume, don’t use “volunteer” as a title; instead, use a title that describes your duties. When summarizing your volunteer work, ensure you highlight what skills you used, what you accomplished, and how you can contribute to the employer’s company. In addition, volunteer work is a great EPR/OPR bullet! The Barksdale Volunteer Resource Program’s (VRP) mission is simple: to support readiness and meet professional and personal needs by linking volunteers with opportunities in the military and civilian communities. Our focus is to train, manage, and recognize the invaluable contributions made by a large group of very diverse and special people. Anyone can be a volunteer: Airmen, retirees, family members, students or DOD civilians with access to the base. The VRP is a great way to expand your contacts and experiences, making you a valuable resource to the community, possibly leading to full-time paid employment. Every year volunteers are recognized by the community with quarterly, annual and special recognition awards. In addition, during Volunteer Recognition Week, please take time to recognize and thank our volunteers for everything they do. Volunteers are an integral part of our work force and Barksdale takes pride in saluting all our volunteers. They give of themselves every day to make Barksdale AFB a better place to live, work, and play. For more information on the Volunteer Resource Program (both to volunteer and to request volunteers) stop by the Airman & Family Readiness Center at 801 Kenney Ave, suite 1400, Barksdale AFB, LA or call (318)456-8400.
