As we near the end of one fiscal year and head into the next, I want to urge all of you to think about the causes you care about and ask how you can help meet the needs you see. Far too many people complain about situations in our society, and far too few are willing to step up to address these situations.

According to a blog post on the TeamStage website, only 25 percent of Americans volunteer. That figure is down from 28 percent in the early 2000s. Baby Boomers provide about 37 percent of all volunteers. 

On average, these people volunteer about 52 hours per year. Those willing to give of their time are also most likely to contribute to charities and organizations dealing with hunger and homelessness, health and wellness, faith and spirituality, and animals and wildlife.

The value of the labor volunteers contribute to their communities comes to nearly $200 billion each year. That means a volunteer’s labor is worth around $28.54 per hour.

This monetary value is only one of the tangible benefits of volunteering. Communities benefit in many ways from willing volunteers, including fostering a stronger sense of unity, involving marginalized people in community projects, and improving overall physical and mental health.

Volunteers are essential to non-profit organizations. In fact, without active volunteers, many non-profits cannot function. One in nine volunteer organizations had to close during the COVID pandemic because of a lack of volunteers.

One of the things I learned during my time as a volunteer for several organizations is that many of the same people serve on various volunteer boards. Most non-profit boards, and even those organizations that support governmental entities, try to have boards filled with people with different skills. Every board needs someone – or several “someones” – who understand finances. Those with a background in designing and writing policies and procedures are essential to keeping non-profits in compliance with governmental demands.

But even if you have no idea about finances or personnel and operational policies, you can be an asset if you are willing to serve. The best expression of this principle is: “The greatest ability is avail-ability.” I would add that the second most significant ability is reli-ability.

Ask yourself: What do you care about? If you care about hunger or homelessness, investigate the organizations in our community that address those issues. Let them know you are ready and willing to help.

If you care about domestic violence issues, find the organizations that address the needs of those victims. If you care about sports, volunteer to help with Little League baseball, termite basketball, soccer, or volleyball. Coaches and assistant coaches are always in demand.

Suppose you want to help children struggling in school, then volunteer for tutoring programs. Harmony Hall and the CSS Neuse Foundation are always looking for those willing to serve as docents for their historical work.

If you care about animals and their well-being, the SPCA always looks for faithful volunteers.

Do not forget religious organizations. Does your church, synagogue, or temple need volunteers? Find out what you can do – and then sign up to help.

Complaining is easy. Helping solve problems takes work – and most of that work must come from volunteers willing to give of their time and energy to meet needs and right wrongs.

Albert Schweitzer worked as a doctor, missionary, philosopher, and musician. He is perhaps best known for his African medical missionary work. After years of service, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952, awarded to him on December 10, 1953. Schweitzer took the $33,000 in Nobel prize money and used it to start the leprosarium at Lambaréné in French Equatorial Africa.

We need to listen carefully to his words:

“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in the world all of your own.”

Make this the year you begin meeting the needs of others.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.