By Patti Spezzaferro
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands —
one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” —
Audrey Hepburn
In 2016, over 63 million people volunteered for nonprofits providing eight billion hours of service. Extraordinary!
Volunteerism has been shown to improve a volunteer’s mood, decrease stress, and increase strength. There is something truly magical about being able to contribute to your community.
Volunteering changes your mood. It can have a positive effect on your body. Studies show that when people volunteer, they trigger the mesolimbic system — the portion of the brain responsible for feelings of reward. The brain releases feel-good chemicals, spurring you to perform more kind acts. Psychologists call it “helper’s high.”
Volunteering decreases stress by offering new friendships. When you help others, you give off positive vibes, which can rub off on peers and improve your friendships, creating strong, lasting bonds. Volunteering is an excellent way to find your “tribe” united by shared passions and commitment.
Volunteering makes us strong. Not only does it build connection but confidence too. People who volunteer have been found to have higher self-esteem and an overall feeling of well-being. Experts explain that the more connection you feel, the higher your self-esteem because it provides a sense of purpose.
Volunteering increases your feelings of gratitude. Helping others is a beautiful way to gain perspective on your situation and leads to feelings of gratitude for what you have. So, are you ready to benefit from volunteering? Peninsula Rose Society wants you. We have something for everyone. If you are interested, please email Patti at [email protected] and become part of the PRS tribe. I know for sure, volunteering will improve your life because it has for me.
In the know:
Here are some of the topics the PRS Board discussed at their October BOD meeting:
* A possible merger with San Mateo Rose Society is on hold,
* Getting close to finalizing the new logo for PRS,
* Moving toward PayPal implementation to pay membership dues and donate,
* Moving towards lifting term limits on the President and Vice President roles.
Happy Gardening! Patti