What is the Value of a Volunteer?

April was Volunteer Appreciation Month; as April has come to a close we reflect on our volunteers. Individuals volunteer for many reasons; to give back to the community, to support a cause they believe in, to gain experience or simply to help another person. Whatever the reason here in the nonprofit sector the value of a volunteer is frequently discussed. You often hear agencies tell volunteers “We couldn’t do it without you.” And that is the reality!

In 2012 in the state of Wisconsin:

• 35.6% of residents volunteer, ranking them 8th among the 50 states and Washington, DC.
• 36.7 volunteer hours per resident.
• 1.62 million volunteers.
• 165.3 million hours of service.
• $3.7 billion of service contributed.
• 60.6% of residents donate to charity.
• 13.6% of residents participate in public meetings.
• 34.7% of residents over age 55 volunteer.

See national statistics here.

Did you know that WCH has utilizes volunteers in the following ways:

• Administration – Assist in answering phones, shredding of documents, organizing supplies, helping stuff envelopes and address mailings.
• Shelter – Assist in answering the door, working with residents to find resources, meal preparations, housekeeping, and donation organization.
• Children’s Program – Provide child care during resident groups, homework help, assist staff with facilitation of groups for children witnesses of domestic violence, lead arts and crafts and story time.
• On Call Advocate – Provide information, support, and referral for follow up to victims, family members, and friends when responding to the hospital and law enforcement agencies during evening, weekend, and holiday hours.
• Thrift Store – Assist staff with donation sorting, organizing and inventory rotation.
• Events - Volunteers are also needed to help with our major fundraising events throughout the year; as well as hosting information booths at community events.

The estimated value of a Wisconsin volunteer’s time for 2013 is $21.78 per hour. Here are Women and Children’s Horizons we utilized 133 volunteers last year totaling 4,607.75 hours of service. That means volunteers provided WCH with a total of $100,356.80 worth of service. Could we have done it without you? NO WAY!

Thank you to all of the volunteers that have given their time and talents to WCH in the past year, we really couldn’t have done it without you and we look forward to continuing to work with you!

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Andi Connolly-Meyers.

 

Written by: Andi Connolly-Meyers, WCH Volunteer Program Coordinator