I believe that people who work or volunteer in human services share a common value that we have a responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves. For me and the majority of those I know, that value is driven by faith, regardless of whether we work in a faith-based or secular organization. Many of the organizations that receive funding from United Way are faith-based organizations and as such are operated by persons who share a common set of values and beliefs. Key to the faith-based missions of these, however, is outreach to all in need, regardless of race, color or creed. As in mission work, faith moves the doer, but does not exclude the receiver of services. 

A number of activities this spring offer opportunities to put faith into action by helping others: National Volunteer Week is observed April 15-21; Child Abuse Prevention is a focus all month and culminates in the Bids for Kids activities with a golf outing April 24 and televised auction April 27 and 28; the nation’s largest food drive is May 12 and involves everyone with a mailbox through the support of the National Association of Letter Carriers; and the Play for Family Peace Golf Outing is set for May 14.

Studies report volunteerism in America at between one-third to something under half of adults. Indiana tends to rank below average in number of volunteers. While most non profit organizations rely on volunteers for numerous activities, they also struggle with providing the resources to effectively manage volunteer activities. In our community, we are fortunate to have an entity that promotes and coordinates volunteerism: the local Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which is sponsored by the Anderson Public Library.

Thursday, RSVP will honor a large group of people who serve the community as volunteers at a special volunteer recognition luncheon at the library. Eight persons will be recognized for Lifetime Achievement — a designation given to those who have logged more than 5,000 hours as volunteers, but another group of nine has logged more than 7,500 hours; two persons have logged more than 10,000 hours and two more than 15,000 hours; and finally, Louise Addington, Robert Hoover and Robert Pearson top the list with more than 20,000 hours of volunteer work.

Especially encouraging for our community is the large group of Gold (500+ hours) and Silver (250+ hours) honorees as well as those who are being recognized for 5, 10 and 15 years of volunteer service. There are more than 100 persons listed in these categories. It goes without saying that the value of their contributions is far more than the organizations served could purchase if they had to pay for their work.

Sponsored by Points of Light Foundation, National Volunteer Week observances are a good way for both organizations and individuals to take a look at the opportunities that are available to help others right where we live. The theme for 2007 is “Inspire by Example,” which is what volunteers do every day.

For more information about volunteering in Madison County, log on to our web site: www.unitedwaymadisonco.org, and click on Volunteer Resources.

Nancy Taylor is president of United Way of Madison County Inc.