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Volunteer Month: #NVW

April is a significant month for volunteers and organizations all over the country. Not only is April the official National Volunteer Month, but it’s also home to National Volunteer Week, which is sometimes referred to as National Volunteer Appreciation Week or #NVW. 

National Volunteer Month is a time to celebrate current volunteers while also welcoming people who have been thinking about volunteering and finally want to take the leap to become a volunteer. We hope this article is informative for people who already volunteer and people who are eager to get started. Without further ado, let’s look at National Volunteer Month, and then we’ll zero in on National Volunteer Week! 

When is National Volunteer Month? 

National Volunteer Month is recognized in April. From April 1st to April 30th, volunteers are recognized, applauded, and appreciated in a more public way. You can think of it as being similar to days dedicated to military service members or appreciation weeks for school teachers. However, instead of military service members and school teachers, it’s focused on volunteers! 

A lot of people volunteer in their free time. It’s a very selfless act that comes from a place of love, care, and compassion for other people, especially those who aren’t in positions of privilege or could use a helping hand. 

Volunteers spend nearly all of their time volunteering and prioritizing other people above themselves. National Volunteer Month is a chance for people to pay their respects to volunteers and remind them that their altruistic help is incredibly appreciated. 

What is National Volunteer Week?

Three people carrying boxes while volunteering

Similar to National Volunteer Month, #NVW or National Volunteer Week is also focused on making sure volunteers feel appreciated, seen, and acknowledged. National Volunteer Week has been taking place from April 7th to April 13th since 1974. 

Every community celebrates this week differently, but across the board, volunteers can typically expect to see a lot of activities, events, and celebrations in their honor during this week.

Check in with your local volunteer centers to learn more about the events that will take place during National Volunteer Week near you! 

The specific celebrations will differ from one neighborhood, city, or town to the next. Still, many organizations make a concerted effort to prepare engaging, thoughtful, and entertaining events to show their volunteers that they mean the world to them. 

How To Celebrate National Volunteer Month and #NVW 

Are you interested in celebrating National Volunteer Month or #NVW this year? Welcome to the festivities! It’s never too late to get involved in your community and become part of the volunteering world in your area. 

The best way to become an active member in your community and celebrate National Volunteer Month this year is by becoming a volunteer yourself! There’s no better time than the present to sign up for volunteer events and immerse yourself in everything volunteering offers. 

Whether you sign up to volunteer at a local food drive or spend your time with elderly folks at a nearby retirement home, all volunteer activities are admirable. Think about the people you want to help and how you want to improve their lives. Then, find a volunteer event that piques your interest and sign up to help!

Oftentimes organizations have a need for help that is not directly on the “front lines”, that is not working directly with the population the organization helps.  This might be because the people being served need to remain anonymous, or that the organization serves people in other countries. There are still many ways to pitch in and help these organizations by helping with administration tasks, hosting a fundraiser, or even joining a committee, or their Board of Directors.  These positions are often the most difficult volunteer spots to fill but can be immensely rewarding.

Similarly, you can also offer to work at the events hosted for National Volunteer Week. In other words, sign up to be a volunteer at the events for volunteers! You can talk to the volunteers who attend the events during #NVW and ask them any questions you might have about volunteering. 

If there’s anything you’re concerned about or interested in learning from the perspective of someone who already volunteers, the best way to go about that is by speaking directly with volunteers themselves.

Make sure you take the time to thank them for all that they do! 

Become a Volunteer With Our Little Roses

When volunteering with OLR, you can rest assured knowing that your time is a gift that we all cherish. You’ll be making a difference simply by donating your energy to our Little Roses girls and in furthering our mission. 

Our Little Roses is a prime example of a place where you can engage in selfless, love-focused, and goal-oriented volunteer activities. Our mission is to improve the lives of both women and girls alike in Honduras. 

As a non-governmental organization or NGO, we prioritize the lives of young girls who are often born into dangerous circumstances that don’t usually set them up for success from birth. We strive to give Honduran girls as much hope as possible, instilling skills and self-belief within them to believe in the future in which all of their dreams are possible. 

We combine the four values of faith, love, justice, and respect as we empower girls and help them understand that they play a significant role in society. By educating the young girls at Our Little Roses and providing them with access to necessities like food, water, shelter, and healthcare, OLR does everything with the betterment of young girls in mind. 

If you would like to get involved at Our Little Roses by becoming a volunteer, you are welcome! There are many ways you can join the efforts and help to grow the work of Our Little Roses right here in the U.S. and in your own community.  Whether by holding a fundraiser or educational event, joining our Young Professionals, our Ambassadors Council,  or even our Board of Directors.  

You may also decide you’d like to visit the home and volunteer as part of a short-term mission team.  We are overjoyed to share that we are open to receiving in-person groups again this summer.  

We love and appreciate the many volunteers who dedicate their time, talent, and treasure and hope this month you’ll jump in!

Get started as a volunteer with Our Little Roses today!