By Trish Bowman
Volunteers are the heart and pulse of regional communities and Yeppoon Lions President Graham Black said giving freely of your time will not only strengthen your community, it can be a positive change that enriches your life and the lives of others.
Mr Black said without our community volunteers we wouldn’t have the not-for-profit organisations that exist in our community today, there would be many more individuals and families in financial, health and physical harm situations that end in tragedy.
“Our communities would certainly suffer if these groups and organisations did not exist through lack of volunteers, and it is not just the community who benefits,” Mr Black said.
“There are so many personal advantages to offering your time as a volunteer.
“Volunteering opens a world of opportunities, including meeting super-awesome, like-minded people.
“While volunteering, you could make a connection that could change the rest of your life.
“While you are providing help to build a better community, you can learn about homeless support services and reap the social benefits of volunteering.
“When you volunteer, you know your time and effort is going towards creating a happier, healthier, and more secure future for people in need.
“Volunteering is a way to improve your social and relationship skills, you’ll be talking to a range of different people and enhancing your teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. These are valuable life skills for us all.
“You’ll feel a natural sense of accomplishment, which will boost your self-esteem and develop a sense of pride and identity.
“Most importantly it is about having fun; one of the best reasons to volunteer is to enjoy yourself, not only do you get to meet new people and form new friendships, by opening yourself up to new experiences you are expanding your own knowledge.
“Regular volunteering can also have a positive impact on your health giving you a sense of purpose and can keep you mentally stimulated.
“One of the main advantages of volunteering is the feeling of empowerment, being in control of your life choices, and creating a better future for others and for yourself.
“When you feel empowered, you can live with more purpose, confidence, and higher self-esteem and the benefits can last a lifetime.
“If you begin volunteering your time, you’ll realise how good it feels to know you’re making a positive difference and you are setting a firm role model for our younger generation.
“Once you start to make positive changes; others will want to get involved too.
“Helping those in need is a great lesson to learn, and an even greater lesson to teach.
“Plus, you know what they say… what goes around comes around. If you help someone now, hopefully, your good deeds will be returned.”
If you are interested in joining any of the Lions groups across the region, check out the Lions website and find a club near you.