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Volunteering Essays

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What Motivates People to Do Volunteer Work

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Volunteering refers to the selfless and voluntary act of offering one's time, skills, or resources for the benefit of others or a particular cause, without expecting financial compensation or personal gain. It is driven by a genuine desire to contribute to the well-being of individuals, communities, or organizations, and to make a positive impact on society.

The history of volunteering traces back to ancient civilizations, where communities came together to support one another in times of need. However, the modern concept of volunteering emerged during the 19th century. Here is a brief overview of the history of volunteering: Voluntary acts of service can be found throughout history, such as religious charity work in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In medieval Europe, religious organizations and guilds played a significant role in providing assistance to the needy. In the 19th century, philanthropic movements gained momentum. Individuals like Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton pioneered organized volunteer efforts in healthcare and disaster relief, respectively. This era also saw the establishment of charitable organizations and social reform movements. The World Wars spurred a surge in volunteerism as communities rallied together to support soldiers and civilians. After the wars, volunteering expanded into various sectors, including community development, education, and environmental conservation. In the 20th century, volunteering became more structured and professionalized. Nonprofit organizations, such as the Red Cross and United Way, grew in prominence, offering organized volunteer programs and opportunities. With the advent of the internet and social media, volunteering has become more accessible and widespread. Online platforms connect volunteers with organizations and facilitate virtual volunteering, expanding the reach and impact of volunteering efforts. Today, volunteering is a global phenomenon, deeply ingrained in societies worldwide.

Volunteering in the United States plays a vital role in supporting communities, addressing social issues, and fostering civic engagement. It involves individuals dedicating their time, skills, and resources to serve others and make a positive impact on society. Volunteering in the US takes various forms, ranging from local community service initiatives to national and international organizations. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, environmental conservation, disaster relief, and social services. Volunteers contribute in diverse ways, such as mentoring youth, assisting with food distribution, participating in environmental cleanups, supporting homeless shelters, and providing medical assistance. The importance of volunteering is evident in the benefits it brings to both individuals and communities. For volunteers, it offers an opportunity to develop new skills, gain valuable experiences, expand their social networks, and enhance personal growth. Communities benefit from the selfless contributions of volunteers, as it helps address unmet needs, strengthens social cohesion, and promotes positive change.

1. Community Service 2. Skill-Based Volunteering 3. Environmental Volunteering 4. Crisis and Disaster Relief 5. International Volunteering 6. Virtual Volunteering

Mother Teresa: Known for her selfless dedication to serving the poor and marginalized, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, an organization that provides aid to the needy worldwide. Her compassionate work earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Mahatma Gandhi: Gandhi, the influential leader of India's independence movement, was a strong advocate for volunteerism and community service. He promoted the concept of "Seva," which means selfless service to others, emphasizing the importance of giving back to society. Martin Luther King Jr.: A prominent figure in the American civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired others to engage in volunteer efforts to address racial inequality and social justice issues. His message of equality and nonviolent activism continues to resonate today. Jane Addams: Recognized as the mother of social work, Jane Addams co-founded Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago, which provided education, healthcare, and social services to immigrants and the poor. Her dedication to improving living conditions and advocating for social reform laid the foundation for modern social work.

Personal Growth: Volunteering provides opportunities for personal development and growth. It allows individuals to acquire new skills, expand their knowledge, and gain valuable experience in various fields. Volunteering also helps boost self-confidence, improve communication and teamwork skills, and enhance problem-solving abilities. Social Connections: Volunteering offers a chance to meet and connect with diverse groups of people, fostering social interactions and building meaningful relationships. It helps individuals expand their network, create lasting friendships, and develop a sense of belonging within their communities. Sense of Purpose and Satisfaction: Engaging in volunteer work gives individuals a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Contributing to a cause they care about and making a positive impact on the lives of others can bring great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Community Engagement: Volunteers play a vital role in building stronger communities. By dedicating their time and efforts, they help address local needs, promote social cohesion, and create a sense of unity and shared responsibility within neighborhoods and society at large. Health and Well-being: Volunteering has been linked to improved physical and mental health. It can reduce stress, combat feelings of loneliness and depression, and increase overall well-being. Engaging in volunteer activities that align with personal interests and passions can bring joy and a sense of fulfillment. Professional Development: Volunteering can enhance career prospects and professional development. It allows individuals to gain relevant work experience, develop transferable skills, and demonstrate their commitment and dedication. Volunteering can also provide networking opportunities and open doors to new job prospects. Making a Difference: One of the most significant benefits of volunteering is the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others and contribute to meaningful causes. By lending a helping hand, volunteers can bring about positive social change, support vulnerable populations, and contribute to the betterment of society.

1. According to the World Giving Index 2021, 31% of people worldwide reported volunteering their time, with the highest rates found in Indonesia, Kenya, and Nigeria. 2. The estimated economic value of a volunteer hour in the United States was $28.54 in 2020, highlighting the significant contribution volunteers make to the economy. 3. In the United States, approximately 25% of young people aged 16 to 24 engage in volunteer work, contributing to community development, education, and environmental initiatives. 4. Research has shown that volunteering can have positive effects on physical and mental health, reducing the risk of depression, improving well-being, and increasing life satisfaction. 5. Many companies encourage their employees to volunteer, with 59% of Fortune 500 companies offering formal volunteer programs. Corporate volunteering promotes team-building, employee engagement, and social responsibility. 6. Volunteers play a crucial role in disaster response and recovery. During the 2017 hurricane season, for example, the American Red Cross deployed over 50,000 volunteers to assist affected communities. 7. Studies have found a correlation between volunteering and increased longevity, as well as higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.

Volunteering is an important and meaningful topic to write an essay about due to its numerous benefits and contributions to society. By exploring the subject, one can delve into the profound impact volunteers have on individuals, communities, and even global issues. Firstly, volunteering promotes social responsibility and civic engagement. It encourages individuals to actively participate in addressing social challenges and making positive changes in their communities. It fosters empathy, compassion, and a sense of belonging, leading to a more inclusive and connected society. Secondly, volunteering offers personal growth and development opportunities. It allows individuals to acquire new skills, gain practical experience, and enhance their self-confidence. Moreover, it provides a platform for individuals to explore their passions and interests, leading to personal fulfillment and self-discovery. Additionally, volunteering plays a vital role in addressing societal needs that may not be adequately met by government or other institutions. It contributes to areas such as education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and disaster relief, making a tangible difference in the lives of others. Furthermore, volunteering can have a ripple effect, inspiring and motivating others to get involved and create positive change. It serves as a catalyst for social transformation, as the collective efforts of volunteers can lead to long-lasting impact and sustainable development.

1. Brudney, J. L., & Meijs, L. C. (Eds.). (2014). The Oxford handbook of volunteering, giving, and philanthropy. Oxford University Press. 2. Clary, E. G., Snyder, M., Ridge, R. D., Copeland, J., Stukas, A. A., Haugen, J., & Miene, P. (1998). Understanding and assessing the motivations of volunteers: A functional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(6), 1516-1530. 3. Handy, F., Cnaan, R. A., Brudney, J. L., Ascoli, U., & Meijs, L. C. (Eds.). (2010). Public participation in volunteerism: A comparative analysis. Routledge. 4. Holmes, K., & Jones, E. (Eds.). (2017). The Routledge handbook of volunteering. Routledge. 5. Howlett, S., & Dickinson, H. (2009). Volunteer decision-making: What prompts a person to volunteer? Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 38(2), 266-288. 6. Hustinx, L., Cnaan, R. A., & Handy, F. (2010). Navigating theories of volunteering: A hybrid map for a complex phenomenon. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 40(4), 410-434. 7. McNamara, T. K. (2008). The sociology of volunteering. Springer Science & Business Media. 8. Smith, D. H., Stebbins, R. A., & Dover, M. A. (2006). A dictionary of nonprofit terms and concepts. Indiana University Press. 9. Smith, K. R., Holmes, K., & Mervyn, K. (2010). Volunteering and society in the 21st century. Palgrave Macmillan. 10. Wilson, J. (2012). Volunteering. Annual Review of Sociology, 38, 519-539.

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College Admissions , Extracurriculars

Are you applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a community service essay? Do you know how to write an essay that will impress readers and clearly show the impact your work had on yourself and others?

Read on to learn step-by-step instructions for writing a great community service essay that will help you stand out and be memorable.

What Is a Community Service Essay? Why Do You Need One?

A community service essay is an essay that describes the volunteer work you did and the impact it had on you and your community. Community service essays can vary widely depending on specific requirements listed in the application, but, in general, they describe the work you did, why you found the work important, and how it benefited people around you.

Community service essays are typically needed for two reasons:

#1: To Apply to College

• Some colleges require students to write community service essays as part of their application or to be eligible for certain scholarships.
• You may also choose to highlight your community service work in your personal statement.

#2: To Apply for Scholarships

• Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students with exceptional community service experiences, and many use community service essays to help choose scholarship recipients.
• Green Mountain College offers one of the most famous of these scholarships. Their "Make a Difference Scholarship" offers full tuition, room, and board to students who have demonstrated a significant, positive impact through their community service

Getting Started With Your Essay

In the following sections, I'll go over each step of how to plan and write your essay. I'll also include sample excerpts for you to look through so you can get a better idea of what readers are looking for when they review your essay.

Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements

Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them.

Specific things to pay attention to include:

• Length requirement
• Application deadline
• The main purpose or focus of the essay
• If the essay should follow a specific structure

Below are three real community service essay prompts. Read through them and notice how much they vary in terms of length, detail, and what information the writer should include.

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

"Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words."

From the Laura W. Bush Traveling Scholarship:

"Essay (up to 500 words, double spaced) explaining your interest in being considered for the award and how your proposed project reflects or is related to both UNESCO's mandate and U.S. interests in promoting peace by sharing advances in education, science, culture, and communications."

From the LULAC National Scholarship Fund:

"Please type or print an essay of 300 words (maximum) on how your academic studies will contribute to your personal & professional goals. In addition, please discuss any community service or extracurricular activities you have been involved in that relate to your goals."

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Even after you understand what the essay should be about, it can still be difficult to begin writing. Answer the following questions to help brainstorm essay ideas. You may be able to incorporate your answers into your essay.

• What community service activity that you've participated in has meant the most to you?
• What is your favorite memory from performing community service?
• Why did you decide to begin community service?
• What made you decide to volunteer where you did?
• How has your community service changed you?
• How has your community service helped others?
• How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

You don't need to answer all the questions, but if you find you have a lot of ideas for one of two of them, those may be things you want to include in your essay.

Writing Your Essay

How you structure your essay will depend on the requirements of the scholarship or school you are applying to. You may give an overview of all the work you did as a volunteer, or highlight a particularly memorable experience. You may focus on your personal growth or how your community benefited.

Regardless of the specific structure requested, follow the guidelines below to make sure your community service essay is memorable and clearly shows the impact of your work.

Samples of mediocre and excellent essays are included below to give you a better idea of how you should draft your own essay.

Step 1: Hook Your Reader In

You want the person reading your essay to be interested, so your first sentence should hook them in and entice them to read more. A good way to do this is to start in the middle of the action. Your first sentence could describe you helping build a house, releasing a rescued animal back to the wild, watching a student you tutored read a book on their own, or something else that quickly gets the reader interested. This will help set your essay apart and make it more memorable.

Compare these two opening sentences:

"I have volunteered at the Wishbone Pet Shelter for three years."

"The moment I saw the starving, mud-splattered puppy brought into the shelter with its tail between its legs, I knew I'd do whatever I could to save it."

The first sentence is a very general, bland statement. The majority of community service essays probably begin a lot like it, but it gives the reader little information and does nothing to draw them in. On the other hand, the second sentence begins immediately with action and helps persuade the reader to keep reading so they can learn what happened to the dog.

Step 2: Discuss the Work You Did

Once you've hooked your reader in with your first sentence, tell them about your community service experiences. State where you work, when you began working, how much time you've spent there, and what your main duties include. This will help the reader quickly put the rest of the essay in context and understand the basics of your community service work.

Not including basic details about your community service could leave your reader confused.

Step 3: Include Specific Details

It's the details of your community service that make your experience unique and memorable, so go into the specifics of what you did.

For example, don't just say you volunteered at a nursing home; talk about reading Mrs. Johnson her favorite book, watching Mr. Scott win at bingo, and seeing the residents play games with their grandchildren at the family day you organized. Try to include specific activities, moments, and people in your essay. Having details like these let the readers really understand what work you did and how it differs from other volunteer experiences.

Compare these two passages:

"For my volunteer work, I tutored children at a local elementary school. I helped them improve their math skills and become more confident students."

"As a volunteer at York Elementary School, I worked one-on-one with second and third graders who struggled with their math skills, particularly addition, subtraction, and fractions. As part of my work, I would create practice problems and quizzes and try to connect math to the students' interests. One of my favorite memories was when Sara, a student I had been working with for several weeks, told me that she enjoyed the math problems I had created about a girl buying and selling horses so much that she asked to help me create math problems for other students."

The first passage only gives basic information about the work done by the volunteer; there is very little detail included, and no evidence is given to support her claims. How did she help students improve their math skills? How did she know they were becoming more confident?

The second passage is much more detailed. It recounts a specific story and explains more fully what kind of work the volunteer did, as well as a specific instance of a student becoming more confident with her math skills. Providing more detail in your essay helps support your claims as well as make your essay more memorable and unique.

Step 4: Show Your Personality

It would be very hard to get a scholarship or place at a school if none of your readers felt like they knew much about you after finishing your essay, so make sure that your essay shows your personality. The way to do this is to state your personal strengths, then provide examples to support your claims. Take some time to think about which parts of your personality you would like your essay to highlight, then write about specific examples to show this.

• If you want to show that you're a motivated leader, describe a time when you organized an event or supervised other volunteers.
• If you want to show your teamwork skills, write about a time you helped a group of people work together better.
• If you want to show that you're a compassionate animal lover, write about taking care of neglected shelter animals and helping each of them find homes.

Step 5: State What You Accomplished

After you have described your community service and given specific examples of your work, you want to begin to wrap your essay up by stating your accomplishments. What was the impact of your community service? Did you build a house for a family to move into? Help students improve their reading skills? Clean up a local park? Make sure the impact of your work is clear; don't be worried about bragging here.

If you can include specific numbers, that will also strengthen your essay. Saying "I delivered meals to 24 home-bound senior citizens" is a stronger example than just saying "I delivered meals to lots of senior citizens."

Also be sure to explain why your work matters. Why is what you did important? Did it provide more parks for kids to play in? Help students get better grades? Give people medical care who would otherwise not have gotten it? This is an important part of your essay, so make sure to go into enough detail that your readers will know exactly what you accomplished and how it helped your community.

"My biggest accomplishment during my community service was helping to organize a family event at the retirement home. The children and grandchildren of many residents attended, and they all enjoyed playing games and watching movies together."

"The community service accomplishment that I'm most proud of is the work I did to help organize the First Annual Family Fun Day at the retirement home. My job was to design and organize fun activities that senior citizens and their younger relatives could enjoy. The event lasted eight hours and included ten different games, two performances, and a movie screening with popcorn. Almost 200 residents and family members attended throughout the day. This event was important because it provided an opportunity for senior citizens to connect with their family members in a way they aren't often able to. It also made the retirement home seem more fun and enjoyable to children, and we have seen an increase in the number of kids coming to visit their grandparents since the event."

The second passage is stronger for a variety of reasons. First, it goes into much more detail about the work the volunteer did. The first passage only states that she helped "organize a family event." That really doesn't tell readers much about her work or what her responsibilities were. The second passage is much clearer; her job was to "design and organize fun activities."

The second passage also explains the event in more depth. A family day can be many things; remember that your readers are likely not familiar with what you're talking about, so details help them get a clearer picture.

Lastly, the second passage makes the importance of the event clear: it helped residents connect with younger family members, and it helped retirement homes seem less intimidating to children, so now some residents see their grand kids more often.

Step 6: Discuss What You Learned

One of the final things to include in your essay should be the impact that your community service had on you. You can discuss skills you learned, such as carpentry, public speaking, animal care, or another skill.

You can also talk about how you changed personally. Are you more patient now? More understanding of others? Do you have a better idea of the type of career you want? Go into depth about this, but be honest. Don't say your community service changed your life if it didn't because trite statements won't impress readers.

In order to support your statements, provide more examples. If you say you're more patient now, how do you know this? Do you get less frustrated while playing with your younger siblings? Are you more willing to help group partners who are struggling with their part of the work? You've probably noticed by now that including specific examples and details is one of the best ways to create a strong and believable essay .

"As a result of my community service, I learned a lot about building houses and became a more mature person."

"As a result of my community service, I gained hands-on experience in construction. I learned how to read blueprints, use a hammer and nails, and begin constructing the foundation of a two-bedroom house. Working on the house could be challenging at times, but it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and be more willing to pitch in when I see someone needs help. My dad has just started building a shed in our backyard, and I offered to help him with it because I know from my community service how much work it is. I also appreciate my own house more, and I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head."

The second passage is more impressive and memorable because it describes the skills the writer learned in more detail and recounts a specific story that supports her claim that her community service changed her and made her more helpful.

Step 7: Finish Strong

Just as you started your essay in a way that would grab readers' attention, you want to finish your essay on a strong note as well. A good way to end your essay is to state again the impact your work had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate how you changed as a result of your community service, why you found the work important, or how it helped others.

Compare these two concluding statements:

"In conclusion, I learned a lot from my community service at my local museum, and I hope to keep volunteering and learning more about history."

"To conclude, volunteering at my city's American History Museum has been a great experience. By leading tours and participating in special events, I became better at public speaking and am now more comfortable starting conversations with people. In return, I was able to get more community members interested in history and our local museum. My interest in history has deepened, and I look forward to studying the subject in college and hopefully continuing my volunteer work at my university's own museum."

The second passage takes each point made in the first passage and expands upon it. In a few sentences, the second passage is able to clearly convey what work the volunteer did, how she changed, and how her volunteer work benefited her community.

The author of the second passage also ends her essay discussing her future and how she'd like to continue her community service, which is a good way to wrap things up because it shows your readers that you are committed to community service for the long-term.

What's Next?

Are you applying to a community service scholarship or thinking about it? We have a complete list of all the community service scholarships available to help get your search started!

Do you need a community service letter as well? We have a step-by-step guide that will tell you how to get a great reference letter from your community service supervisor.

Thinking about doing community service abroad? Before you sign up, read our guide on some of the hazards of international volunteer trips and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Tips for Writing a Standout Community Service Essay

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Through your college applications process, you’re likely to come across the term “community service” many times. In fact, you may be asked to write an essay about it. This post will cover the specifics of a community service essay and how to go about writing one, including what to cover and common mistakes to avoid. 

What is a Community Service Essay?

You may encounter the community service essay as you’re writing your supplemental essays for college. These are school-specific prompts that only go to the college that requests them, unlike the personal statement , which goes to every school you apply to. Not all schools require community service essays, but several do. It’s also a common requirement for scholarship applications, especially if it’s a school-specific merit scholarship. 

The community service essay is an essay that describes the initiatives you have taken outside of the classroom to benefit your community. In a 2018 survey of 264 admissions leaders across the US, 58% said that community service is a tie-breaker between students who are otherwise equally qualified. The community service essay offers you the opportunity to shine light on the work you have done to make an impact on the world and people around you, and is an additional way to help you stand out among other applicants. 

Approaching the Community Service Essay 

Understand the essay requirements  .

As with any essay, it’s important to first understand what is expected of your essay. For a start, elements to pay attention to include: 

• Length requirements
• Focus or subject of the essay prompt 
• Organization of the essay 

Although all community service essays ultimately have the same purpose of having you describe your local service activities, they can come with different types of prompts. Below are three sample prompts. Note the differences in topic specificity, length requirements, and breadth of the prompt. 

From the CGCS – Bernard Harris Scholarship Program: 

Please describe a meaningful volunteer or community service experience, including what you learned from participating.

From the University of California Application :

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? (350 words).

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words.

Brainstorming for your community service essay 

Once you have an understanding of what is required of the specific you are to write, the next step is to brainstorm ideas for a specific topic. If you have various community-engaged service experiences under your belt, consider the following before you finalize your decision. 

The best topics:

Are substantial in length and scope. It’s better to cover a long-term commitment than a one-off afternoon at the food pantry or animal shelter. 

Are transformative or inspiring. Although community service is “others”-oriented, colleges are looking to learn more about you. The ideal community service essay topic should be an experience that changed or challenged your perspective, and was ultimately fulfilling. 

Illustrate personal qualities or passions that you want to highlight. Given the specific prompt, and taking the rest of your application into consideration, which personal interests do you want to highlight? Which activity illuminates the personal quality that you want to bring attention to? 

These are all elements to consider before you begin writing your essay. 

Tips for Writing Your Community Service Essay 

1. include anecdotes.

Anecdotes are a great way to begin your essay, not only as a way to grab your reader’s attention, but by launching right into the experience of your service activity. You can start with a line about a particularly busy afternoon at the orphanage, or a morning cleaning up the streets after a storm, or the sense of accomplishment you felt when you watched a dog under your care at the animal shelter get adopted. 

2. Show, don’t tell 

We’re sure you’ve heard this axiom of general writing before, but it applies to college essays just as much as with any other piece of writing. Opt for evocative examples over plain explaining whenever possible. Take this sentence: “There was a lot of food waste at our school cafeteria.” It’s not nearly as powerful as this description: “I peered into the tall, gray trash cans to inspect the mountain of Styrofoam trays and discarded food. There were countless pizza crusts, globs of green beans, and unopened cartons of milk.” 

Anyone could write the first sentence, and it’s not a unique experience. In the second description, we’re shown the scene of the writer’s lunchroom. We get a peek into their perspective and life, which makes the writing more vivid and relatable. Aim to bring your reader into your world as much as possible.

3. Share your responsibilities and accomplishments.

The more tangible your community service activities feel to the reader, the more powerful your essay will be. Concretize your work by stating the basic details of what kind of work you did and what your duties involved, where it was based, when you began working, and the amount of time you spent working. 

Be sure to quantify your work and accomplishments when possible; it’s better to say your fundraiser yielded 125 books than “a large number” of books. It’s important to also elaborate on why the work you did matters. Why was it important? Did the books you collected or purchased after the fundraiser expand the library of the local orphanage that they already had, or did it offer the children easy access to books that wasn’t available previously? Be specific and detailed.  

4. Highlight what you learned and how you’ll use those lessons moving forward. 

Towards the end of your essay, you’ll want to share how you benefited from the community service work you did. This is an important part of the essay, because it shows how you are able to distill your experiences to applicable lessons in your own life. 

Think of this section in two potential parts: skills you learned, and personal development. Did you gain any hard skills, such as public speaking, poster design, or funds management? Then think about how you developed as an individual. Are you more empathetic or patient now? 

Things to Avoid in Your Community Service Essay 

1. don’t list out everything that happened..

You want to keep your essay well-structured and concise. This isn’t a résumé, or a play-by-play of the entire experience. Stick to the most telling details and anecdotes from your experience. 

2. Avoid using a pretentious or privileged tone.

Humility goes a long way, and entitlement can be smelled from afar. The purpose of this essay is not to paint yourself as a savior of any kind, but rather to show what’s important to you in your non-academic life, and how you approach solving real-world and interpersonal problems. 

3. Avoid clichés.

It may be tempting to quote famous people, but doing so can easily seem like a shortcut, plus it shows little of who you are. Try also to steer clear of trite and vague life lesson lines such as “I learned that people can be happy with so little,” or “I learned the importance of giving back.” Not only do they carry a tone of privilege, they are also sweeping general conclusions and don’t convey anything specific of what you learned. 

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• Volunteering

Essays on Volunteering

Volunteering essay may define volunteering as selfless work aimed to provide social assistance in order to help the disabled, elderly, homeless, poor people, and other persons who find themselves in difficult life situations and require help. Nowadays volunteering is getting popular and widespread because a huge number of people around the world need help and support, so essays on volunteering are multiplying too. Volunteers willingly share their time, energy, contribute skills and knowledge to help other people or the environment without any material benefit, and volunteering essays acknowledge their contribution to society. Essays note that volunteering performs moral education, supports the revival of fundamental values, such as citizenship, mercy, justice, humanity, selflessness, etc. We provide volunteering essay samples so you could learn more about volunteering – the best essay samples await you below!

Huddersfield Samaritans Huddersfield Samaritans is a group of volunteers who have helped people in need for more than 45 years. The group started its operations in 1968 at its branch that is located on Trinity Street. Today, the group operates from its centre in Huddersfield offering education and training to the...

Words: 1248

What could be better than giving your time to a neighborhood nonprofit? Young people are eager to attend networking events held in bars and restaurants, I've lately discovered. A young person's goal might not always be to set aside time to take part in a volunteer project at their local...

Words: 1014

I have been invited to participate in a research study titled: This study is being carried out by, who may be reached at: I realize that my participation is entirely voluntary, and that I may refuse to participate or withdraw at any moment without explanation or punishment. In addition, I have...

I volunteered at Fair Acres Nursing Center in practically every capacity. I participated in the ever-popular bingo games. I decorated nursing home units. In the company of other volunteers, nurses and visitors invited to parties provided aid and amusement. I was part of a team that led discussion sessions and...

The Use of Scratch Cards for Fundraising The bulk of sports clubs can only operate with a limited budget. As a result, clubs have long investigated numerous strategies to collect funds, ranging from ticket promotions to selling children's merchandise. Scratch card promotion and crowdfunding are two of the most effective ways...

Words: 1163

Volunteering is defined as any activity in which a person donates his time to assist another individual, a group, or a cause (Wilson 2000, p. 215). These are those who volunteer their time and effort for the benefit of others in the community. The basic characteristic of volunteering...

Words: 1768

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The DR Enterprises and its Impact on the Community The DR Enterprises has a history of making a difference in the city's residents' lives through donations and volunteer work. The management does not anticipate changes in the giving culture, which has shown to be advantageous to the business and the community....

Learning Activity #1 My best suit is my leadership experience. My willingness to get along with people from various cultures and ethnicities has fueled my drive to succeed in extracurricular events at school and where I have volunteered. I discovered that this ability is critical for high-performing teams, especially those in...

Reasons for Volunteering Because of many rationales, I volunteer, both based on the revolving motto of promoting the values of service as a cornerstone of a worthwhile enterprise and particularly encouraging and promoting the growth of acquaintances as an opportunity for service. In addition, in business and proper work ethics, I...

The Importance of Including College Students in Volunteer Activities The essay entitled Serve or Fail by Dave Eggers illustrates the importance of including college students in volunteer activities and still on campus. Concerns about Time Off Much of the time, the final weeks at the campus are the safest for a lot of...

It is not possible to stress enough the need to be interested in a volunteering experience. There are quite a lot of advantages that accrue to both the user and even many other individuals just from a person who wishes to volunteer within the community. I was still at that...

Volunteering and its Benefits Volunteering is an activity of non-profit, voluntary and mission groups or the community (Centre For Volunteering, n.d). Volunteers support a safe and dynamic group. They work together. The group as well as the individual benefit from volunteering. Increased relations between people build a sense of social engagement...

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Volunteering Essay

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Disclaimer: This paper has been submitted by a student. This is not a sample of the work written by professional academic writers.

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Topic: From what frequent activity do you derive your joy? Why is this activity meaningful to you and how does it shape your perspective on life?

My Volunteer Experience

I personally enjoy helping people with other problem they have because I always try to picture myself in another person’s shoes. I don’t enjoy watching people suffer or being unable to do certain things because I feel that it is every human’s responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves. Knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s day by just providing my assistance is very important to me because I can help bring ease to people. Volunteering to help others is where I derive my greatest joy from.

In the past few years, my volunteering experiences has allowed me to gain new perspectives on life. For example, when I volunteered at my local hospital, Nassau University Medical Center, in the summer of 2014, I was able to realize why I was such a valuable asset to a hospital as a volunteer. When I originally signed up to volunteer at the hospital, it was because I had to meet a service requirement for my school’s honor society, the Scholar Service Institute. However, after my first week of volunteering, I started to develop a love for helping people.

I realized that in the hospital, volunteers are very much needed because a hospital is a community of people working together to ensure the lives of hundreds of people. In that community of the working people, you have people such as pharmacists, who work hard to make sure that every patient gets their correct medication. However, for the pharmacists to deliver that medication to the different floors of the hospital is very time-consuming, but as a volunteer I was able to ease their job by delivering the medications to all the different floors of the hospital. Reflecting on this experience still brings me joy because I was able to help imperative people of a hospital efficiently get their job done and help patients get better with proper medication.

Another experience of volunteering is the bake sale my friends and I organized on Valentine’s Day of 2016 for Make-A-Wish foundation. We held a bake sale at the parish of our school, St. Mary’s Church. I feel that this experience was one of the most joyful volunteering experiences I was able to have. I felt that my friends and I could aid children of terminal diseases such as Lymphoma by helping them to experience some joy in their life. With the help of the funds of the $334 we raised at our bake sale, Make-A-Wish was able to grant the wishes of these ill children.

Whenever I volunteer, I never think of the personal benefits I will get. I always consider how others will benefit from my assistance. The pleasure of knowing that my assistance in the lives of others can make a difference is all the convincing I need to get out and volunteer.

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86 Volunteering Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best volunteering topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on volunteering, ❓ research questions about volunteering.

• Volunteering as Extracurricular Activity Today, I am firmly sure that it is a healthy and refreshing experience to be able to participate in extracurricular activities which Thayer Academy offers me as a student and member of the American society.
• Volunteer Tourism The main motivation of this kind of tourism is to volunteer in working for the host community as the tourists learn more about their culture and other things. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Volunteering and Its Numerous Benefits for the Elderly It can be an essential component of their socialization and improvement of the self-esteem for older people, for the strengthening of their physical and mental health and stress-resistance.
• Afya Hospital’s Recruitment of Volunteers One of the processes that need improvement in Afya Hospital is the management of the recruitment of volunteers. The third objective is to streamline the process of empowering volunteers to perform well in the hospital.
• The Food Forward Organization’s Volunteer Management In such a way, the involvement of fully paid employees might change the balance within the company and require reconsidering the approach to working with employees and encouraging them.
• Nursing Volunteering in Vietnam Vietnam, as a low-income country, needs the help of volunteer nurses to offer their skills and services by assisting medical staff in the city’s centers and other places where residents need medical care.
• The Volunteering Impact on Communities As for me, I feel that if I become a volunteer in the nearest future, I will not have enough time to recover from my studies and work, so my contribution will be negligible.
• The Commonpoint Queens Agency’s Volunteer Programs The goal of the agency is to provide social services to the people of Queens and other New York city residents: from mental health counselling to various classes and resources to live.
• Prosocial Behavior, Volunteering, and Donation Nevertheless, it is vital to understand that prosocial behavior is a fundamental factor in contributing to the upbringing of responsible and responsive future generations of the nation, which makes the given subject crucial for discussion.
• “Problems Recruiting Volunteers” by Hager & Brudney As the authors of the article state, “motivation to volunteer is the individual question; recruitment of those volunteers is the organizational one”.
• Annie Wilkinson on Medical Volunteer Profession Annie says that the main meta-task of a volunteer is to always be ready for the fact that their help is needed, the volunteer needs to be psychologically ready all the time.
• Volunteer Management Practices and Retention of Volunteers Volunteer management is the process of choosing and incorporating volunteers into an organization and ensuring that they perform.
• LIFEbeat: Recruiting and Training Volunteers The preventive interventions in the form of talks are supposed to help young people resist negative influences, the urge, and potential pressure to participate in risky behaviors.”Touring, Talking, and Taking Action” is the slogan that […]
• Volunteer Foundation (US-Washington-Olympia) Analysis The foundation will build a home for the elderly people in the society and provide care for them. The foundation will need to use both the in-house managers and external managers for efficient utilization of […]
• Non-Profit Organization: Donors and Volunteers If this method is adopted by a non-profit organization it will them regularly when making decisions to establish the donors and volunteers and prospects to retain and acquire, the donors and volunteers.
• Medical Lab Volunteer: Analysis of Numerous Data It discusses the history and future of the profession of medical laboratory technologists, determines the core activities of the placement and considers the entry into the profession and relevant regulations of the governing body.
• Social Volunteering With Autistic Adults Because I was able to see the courage and strength of people diagnosed with autism and how they value the time they have on this Earth, I recognized how important it was to be open […]
• Volunteer Group Event for Homeless Children Such children will be the pillars of the future generation and hence it becomes a duty for each of us to contribute in making the lives of deprived children better.
• Volunteers in Corporate America The spectrum of theoretical support for the benefits of this type of corporate philanthropy span identification, exchange, social capital, and commitment theories.
• Corporate Volunteer Programs and Their Value Volunteer work affords them the opportunity to indulge in expressing these passions as a way of increasing their general happiness and spiritual fulfillment.
• Corporate Volunteer Programs to Motivate Employees A number of advantages come benefits exist to the employees being used to these programs hence leading to the attraction of the scheme to the employee in action and those that would wish to participate.
• Corporate Volunteer Programs for Employees The employees will show expertise in their work therefore will be able to bring the special knowledge of the community back into the company thus will be helpful in strategizing or drawing a future plan […]
• Corporate Volunteer Programs: Benefits and Challenges Moreover, we should say that such phenomena as volunteer programs could be mutually advantageous, not only to the community but also to the company, which is of the utmost importance.
• How Safe Are Your Kids With Volunteer Coaches? The volunteer coach helps the younger boys with their sports, or he may, more or less automatically, come to the charge of a house or form team, or he may by the same token find […]
• Medical Rovers: Group of Volunteers for Medical Studies I am told that it will take a few months for the experiment results to be properly sorted out and analyzed.
• HR in Event Management: Role of Volunteers Kim and Cuskelly assume that the key purpose of the volunteers is to accompany the athletes, referees and guests of the championship, assist them in hotels, the airport and arena.
• How Volunteers Improve Teaching in Host Countries In order to enable local teachers to use my example in their practice, it would be useful to explain the rationale for specific actions and activities.
• Gender in Peace Corps Volunteers’ Work People from the local culture can be a valuable source of knowledge about gender norms and traditions that affect their society.
• Peace Corps Volunteer’s Behavior Adjustment Issues Integration occurs when a person generates sufficient knowledge about local culture and customs, which enables them to become a part of the school and the local community.
• Australian Volunteers International: Public Relations The intention of this proposal is to endorse a conservation volunteer campaign that is aimed at reducing the pollution levels in China, which is among the countries that have high levels of environmental degradation in […]
• Parent Volunteering in the Early Education Centers The essence of this practice is to make children aware of the colour palette and some of its peculiarities in the process of drawing and make sure all children learn to perform the task accurately […]
• Video Volunteers’ Interventions Against Poverty The project of allowing people from poor communities to produce movies plays a significant role in solving the problems encountered in diverse poor communities.
• Biochemistry and Volunteer Work In particular, I was the volunteer at ophthalmology center to work with patients and learn more about physiology and biochemistry of the eye and its parts.
• Volunteering: Troubled Teenagers and Healthy Community I would get experience in guiding young people and making them a part of something bigger. I would try to show the kids the other way out, and they would make me a better person.
• Volunteering Effects on Happiness Taking that into consideration, it is necessary to pay an increased attention to the effect that volunteering and all the people connected to it produce on representatives of one of the social groups whose opportunities […]
• Public Service and Volunteers in American Society There is also need for the people to volunteer serving and providing security especially in the overlooked regions of the country.
• Volunteering Phenomenon, Definitions and Benefits Volunteering is significant in making the lives of people better. Volunteering in a particular community brings many benefits to all residents of the area.
• Volunteers Recruitment and Managment Volunteers can be recruited using several methods, including making contacts to the local volunteer center, making use of existing volunteers in the organization, advertising the positions in the media, and announcing the vacancies in the […]
• Volunteering Portfolio: Methodist Church of Britain The volunteers also have something to gain from the act; a volunteer is able to view life from positive perspective, they are able to gain experience in their areas of careers, especially college students and […]
• The Culture of Volunteering in Saudi Arabia In most parts of the world, volunteering is often considered as one of the ways that people give back to the community without the need to provide material or financial aid.
• The Online University Broadcasting Station: Rewarding Volunteers These limitations are the major factors that have led to the recruitment of volunteers in the station. The provision of adequate resources to the volunteers facilitates the activities assigned to them by the organization.
• Ralston Valley Volunteer Fire Department Case The intended promotion should therefore convince these people that there is need to take part in the program and become volunteer firefighters for the common good of the community in times of emergencies.
• Volunteer Tourism: Factors and Contributions Contribution of volunteer tourism to the society According to Domingues and Nojd, most studies on volunteer tourism focus on the personal experiences of volunteer tourism.
• Volunteer Tourism Development According to Broad, the concept of volunteer tourism can only be understood better when it is comprehended from the perspective of the destination of the tourism; the local communities.
• Leadership, Reward Systems, and Training in Volunteering This paper will analyze the causes of understaffing and the importance of compatible leadership styles for efficient management and motivation of volunteers at the broadcasting station of the Online University.
• How We Can Attract Higher Quality Volunteers The reason behind this is connected to the concept of “quality staffing” which is defined by having volunteers that have the capacity to take the initiative to resolve issues, are able to follow instructions promptly, […]
• Volunteering at the Institute for Information Management The Institute for Information Management has worked tirelessly to gain relevance as one of the leading organisations that brings together users of information management systems and the providers of the enabling technologies in a forum […]
• The Development of Volunteer Tourism and Inter-Cultural Exchanges The growth of volunteer tourism product in the market place is as a result of other emerging organizations offering the same services, but indirectly digging from the pockets of the people in the societies.
• Ethical Dilemma: Participation in Volunteer Activities Even though Carolyn Clark was forced by her boss to volunteer her services to the charity program, she ought to realize that there is a need to help the needy in society.
• The Meta-Analyses of Volunteer Tutoring Programmes The review of meta-analysis seeks to establish the effectiveness of volunteer teaching programmes that aim to enhance the academic skills of student in public schools of the United States.
• Management in Agency Volunteer Services The government was ready to work side-by-side with the organization; therefore, AVS had to change its operation strategies to fit the new needs of the bureau.”International Year of Volunteers” The NGO also faced new challenges […]
• Volunteering in Leisure Sector The review shows that individuals are motivated due to the benefits that come with volunteering in the sector and the nature of the activity.
• Volunteer Management Process It safeguards the interests of the volunteers and fortifies the integrity of the organization. The organization should also provide activities that enable the volunteers to enjoy themselves and relieve the pressures of their tasks, for […]
• Volunteering for Horizon House: Homeless Neighbours’ Motivation to Find Jobs To understand and analyze the role of the center in changing the homeless neighbours’ life for better, it is appropriate to focus on the center’s assistance in employing neighbours and developing their job skills with […]
• When the Time to Grow Into a Professional Comes: Trying Out as a Volunteer in a Charity Shop. Experience and Lessons Learned History and background, intentions and hopes It the help of the SMART framework, the experience at the North London Hospice is going to be assessed.
• A Brave Black Regiment: History of the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment The black soldiers of the 54th and in other units played a crucial role in helping the union achieve victory in the war.
• How Does Fundraising Affect Volunteering?
• What Is the Social Impact of Volunteering?
• How Did Immigration Reduce Volunteering in the USA?
• Why Is Volunteering a Good Habit?
• How Can Volunteering Improve the Individual and Social Life of the Elderly?
• What Are Global Standards for Volunteering for Development?
• Can Volunteering Be Considered a Career?
• What Are the Main Principles of Volunteering?
• Does Volunteering Increase Happiness?
• What Is the Intrinsic Value of Volunteering?
• How Does Volunteering Impact the Organization?
• Why Is Volunteering Important to Society?
• Can Volunteering Help With Depression?
• Which Country Has the Most Volunteering?
• Does Volunteering Improve the Psychosocial Well-Being of Volunteers?
• What Is the Nature of Volunteering?
• Is Volunteering Good for Mental Health?
• How Did COVID-19 Change Volunteering?
• What Are the Ways in Which Volunteering Can Benefit the Life of a Volunteer?
• Why Is Empathy Important in Volunteering?
• How Does Volunteering Improve Well-Being?
• What Is the Philosophy of Volunteering?
• Is Volunteering a Form of Altruism?
• What Are the Pros and Cons of Volunteering?
• Why Is Volunteering in Developing Countries Important?
• Does Volunteering Play a Vital Role in the Country’s Development?
• How Can Volunteering Help Improve the Quality of Life of Others?
• What Is the Importance of Promoting the Culture of Volunteering?
• How Has Volunteering Changed the World?
• When Did International Volunteering Begin in Australia?
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Benefits of a Volunteering Essay Sample

The main advantage of the following volunteering essay sample is that you can use it to write your own paper. If you have difficulties with writing, this essay will help you.

What Are the Benefits of Volunteering and Giving Back? Volunteering means that you willingly give your free time for a cause. You are not paid for volunteer work, but can help people or animals in need, or the environment. But how does the volunteer benefit from volunteering? What do volunteers gain from doing this? 1. Improves your social and relationship skills 2. Improves your well-being 3. Gives new experiences for your career 4. Makes you feel self-fulfilled Improves Your Social and Relationship Skills When you volunteer, you will meet new people with similar interests and have new connections. In the future, these people might support you and help you when you are in need. Volunteering helps you practice and develop your social skills especially if you are reserved (Segal & Robinson). If you volunteer as a group with friends or family, it boosts your relationship with each other as you collaborate in your volunteer work. It also improves teamwork in general whether you are working with people you know or with new people. Improves Your Well-Being Volunteering aids in fighting stress, anxiety, and even in combating depression. It also redirects your attention away from your daily tasks, thus helping you to clear out your mind and feel relaxed. When you connect with people, you will have a support system to help in combating depression, and you will feel less lonely and isolated. It also improves your outlook in life. Meanwhile, working with animals in shelters can ease stress and uplift your mood (Segal & Robinson). Physically, volunteer work makes you more active, especially in a crisis or in emergencies. It also helps to burn fats, as well (Fritz). For seniors, it reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This improves the elasticity of the brain, according to studies from the Journal of Gerontology (Fritz). Moreover, it slows down aging, as seniors feel younger when they are active. Gives New Experiences for Your Career You can volunteer for work that is related to your dream job and add this as working experience in your resume. You can also add the skills in your resume and discuss this during the interview. Some volunteer work needs specific skills like project management, public speaking, and other communication skills. For fresh graduates, volunteer jobs could already serve as work experience since most of them do not have paid working experience yet. Even if your volunteer work is not related to your dream job, some soft skills such as being a team player, responsiveness, and being people-oriented can be added to your cover letter and interview. Makes You Self-Fulfilled When you volunteer, you feel rewarded in assisting others. Making a difference in someone else’s life improves your self-worth and self-esteem, as this can make you feel that you have a purpose in life. Making strangers feel better also makes you feel better and happier. Also, when you willingly work on something that you are passionate about, it energizes you. It is also a way to find out your interest and passion. You can also work for free on similar jobs that you would have liked to work before but were unable because of some criteria you did not meet. A good example of this is working as a reserve for military service. Volunteer work may not make you rich but it is the fulfillment that makes you feel complete as a person. In conclusion, volunteering does not only benefit the recipient of the help, but also the volunteer. You may not receive money from it, but the experience itself is enough payment for the work that you have done. Works Cited Fritz, Joanne. “15 Unexpected Benefits of Volunteering that Will Inspire You.” The Balance Small Business, 24 June 2019, www.thebalancesmb.com/unexpected-benefits-of-volunteering-4132453. Accessed 29 July 2019. Segal, Jeanne, and Lawrence Robinson. “Volunteering and Its Surprising Benefits.” Help Guide, June 2019, www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm. Accessed 29 July 2019.

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Volunteerism: My Experience by Nori

Noriof Syracuse's entry into Varsity Tutor's May 2018 scholarship contest

Volunteerism: My Experience by Nori - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

Community service has become a major aspect of my life that has shaped me into who I am today. Volunteering is a way that I can give back to the world that does so much for me. There is no one way to define community service, because everyone has their own definition. However, it is not the definition itself that matters; it is what community service means to you. Is it the laughter of the special needs children when I help them bounce on the trampoline at cheer practice? Is it the squeals of the recreational cheer team that I coached when they win a competition? Maybe it is the joy on the faces of the veterans when they win a round of bingo. To me, volunteering and community service are all of these things. Volunteerism is a donation of my time in order to enhance someone’s life, even if it is only slightly. I view volunteering as a window through which I have an opportunity to change the lives of people, as well as my own. However, volunteering is not only about aiding others. It offers so much more. Through volunteering, I learned valuable community and social skills, and well as gained valuable work experience. I learned how to work with children, the elderly, and those with special needs. In addition, I learned what it is like to have a job and responsibilities. Volunteering has played in a significant role in the shaping of who I am today. Community service has been a resource for me to express myself and gain control of my life. After my father passed and my mother suffered a major stroke, leaving her permanently impaired, I sought an outlet, or an escape. I desperately needed a positive activity to take my mind off of the hardships I was experiencing. That outlet was community service. After a visit to my mother in the hospital, I would go to the public library and volunteer with their children’s activities. Seeing the overwhelming smiles of children after reading them a story made me forget about my problems at home. Volunteering has always been a way to bring joy into my life and to make my day (as well as someone else’s) a little bit better! My first significant volunteer experience was coaching a special needs cheerleading team. As a special needs coach, I had to control a group of special needs children. They struggled to do many things on their own, and looked to me to lead them. It is from this experience that I learned to be a leader. I volunteered as their coach during my freshman year of high school, and that is when my leadership skills truly began to develop. I was responsible for instructing the team on cheerleading and ensuring that they did everything safely. When they would go out and compete, they would bring tears to my eyes. I have never met such an inspiring group of kids, and it is from them that I learned that no matter what comes in my way, anything is possible if you give it your best effort, and that all hardships can be overcome. Coaching Team FIRE was not always an easy job. There were many meltdowns and times when I would want to give up. However, the joy that lit up their faces when times were good motivated me to keep going. From them, I learned perseverance. They would be elated when they successfully completed a forward roll, or learned a new dance. Every day, with their joy, they would remind me to enjoy the small things in life, and I will forever appreciate the endless giggles we’ve shared. That team made me proud and made me recognize how lucky I am to be healthy and well. They taught me that someone is always in need of help, and with my help, that person can succeed. Community service made me realize that I wanted to participate in a profession that helped people. At first, I was unsure of what I aspired to be when I grew up, but I knew one thing: I wanted to make an impact in people’s lives. I developed a love of science, and asked myself how I could help people with science. I decided that my goal was to become a forensic chemist, so I could help solve crimes. That way, if a crime was inflicted upon someone or a loved one, those people would receive justice thanks to me. I truly feel as if volunteering has helped me recognize what it is I aspire to be in the future. In addition, I have goals of participating in more volunteer work throughout my life. Volunteering is a significant way to make the world a better place and to grow as a person. I have impacted numerous lives through volunteering, and that is something that I take great pride in. Whether it was reading to children at the library, helping veterans play bingo, giving Thanksgiving meals to the less fortunate, or anything else, I made someone’s day better, and that is an amazing feeling. In addition, I have developed numerous skills through volunteer work. I feel as if I have grown significantly through my community service. Community service has shaped me into a responsible leader. I am grateful for all that volunteering has done for me.