Page 215 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 215
VOLUNTEERING STAY CONNECTED
Volunteer Spirit
The root of the word “volunteer” is from Latin velle (to wish, will)
and Indo-European root wel (to wish, will).
That which is VOLUNTARY, done with VOLITION, is of the “heart.”
One who volunteers reaches out to others in a way that LET WHAT YOU LOVE BE WHAT YOU DO
comes from the heart, the seat of emotions and the willing, In this section we look at a variety of ways people can use
not the calculating mind. Volunteering comes under different their time creatively to get active in their communities and to
names in different cultures. In India there is the concept of make a difference.
“Seva” of service for the good of others that opens one to the
divine within. In the Irish language, the word for heart “croi” THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING
refers to a state of being of which we all are part. Our Irish A critical aspect of quality of life for older people is how
volunteer spirit is world renowned – doing not only for the they view and see themselves. A large body of literature
good of the individual but with a sense of connection to the documents the positive benefits of volunteerism in terms of
needs of the whole. It is never too late to reach out and share increased psychological well-being. Voluntary work is unpaid
our skills, talents and time to uplift and serve others. It can be work or service done for other people. It can be a way to feel
good for the soul! useful and fulfilled and there is good evidence that volunteer-
ing can help you live longer and enjoy life more.
Volunteers Contribute over €5 Billion to Economy Each Year
The Volunteer Ireland awards are the national awards to
celebrate volunteering in Ireland open to volunteers of all
ages working in any part of Ireland. There are ten different
award categories, along with the prestigious Christine Buckley
Volunteer of the Year award. The Awards aim to recognise the
thousands of people across Ireland who give their time to
benefit others.
“Volunteers are one of Ireland’s most valuable resources.
There are up to 25,000 local and national voluntary
organisations in Ireland employing the equivalent of 65,000
full-time workers. The most recent figures, for 2013, show
that over 1 million people volunteered their time. These
volunteers clocked up an incredible 230 million hours of
volunteering which equates to a value of over €5 billion to
the economy.”
-Nina Arwitz, Volunteer Ireland Chief Executive
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 215
Volunteer Spirit
The root of the word “volunteer” is from Latin velle (to wish, will)
and Indo-European root wel (to wish, will).
That which is VOLUNTARY, done with VOLITION, is of the “heart.”
One who volunteers reaches out to others in a way that LET WHAT YOU LOVE BE WHAT YOU DO
comes from the heart, the seat of emotions and the willing, In this section we look at a variety of ways people can use
not the calculating mind. Volunteering comes under different their time creatively to get active in their communities and to
names in different cultures. In India there is the concept of make a difference.
“Seva” of service for the good of others that opens one to the
divine within. In the Irish language, the word for heart “croi” THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING
refers to a state of being of which we all are part. Our Irish A critical aspect of quality of life for older people is how
volunteer spirit is world renowned – doing not only for the they view and see themselves. A large body of literature
good of the individual but with a sense of connection to the documents the positive benefits of volunteerism in terms of
needs of the whole. It is never too late to reach out and share increased psychological well-being. Voluntary work is unpaid
our skills, talents and time to uplift and serve others. It can be work or service done for other people. It can be a way to feel
good for the soul! useful and fulfilled and there is good evidence that volunteer-
ing can help you live longer and enjoy life more.
Volunteers Contribute over €5 Billion to Economy Each Year
The Volunteer Ireland awards are the national awards to
celebrate volunteering in Ireland open to volunteers of all
ages working in any part of Ireland. There are ten different
award categories, along with the prestigious Christine Buckley
Volunteer of the Year award. The Awards aim to recognise the
thousands of people across Ireland who give their time to
benefit others.
“Volunteers are one of Ireland’s most valuable resources.
There are up to 25,000 local and national voluntary
organisations in Ireland employing the equivalent of 65,000
full-time workers. The most recent figures, for 2013, show
that over 1 million people volunteered their time. These
volunteers clocked up an incredible 230 million hours of
volunteering which equates to a value of over €5 billion to
the economy.”
-Nina Arwitz, Volunteer Ireland Chief Executive
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 215
