Why volunteer? Habitat for Humanity stack of work gloves

Why volunteer?

All over the world, people from all walks of life take a day off, find time after work or devote a weekend to making a difference. Maybe they volunteer with an organization close to their hearts or find ways to get involved with one that they don’t know much about.

In the United States alone, more than 62 million people volunteered with an organization at least once between September 2014 and September 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last year, Habitat for Humanity alone welcomed 1.8 million volunteers who helped families build and improve places to call home.

Why do they all do it?

The nonprofit VolunteerMatch.org lists 20 reasons for volunteering, and we’ve put together our own lists of the benefits you can receive from doing a good deed. But every person has their own motivation.

Hear from just a few of the generous people who give their time with Habitat and find out why they choose to work to improve lives through shelter.

“We volunteer to share whatever we have so that others can have the same or even more.” — Tom Chap volunteers with and serves as a board member for Greater Sioux Falls Habitat.

“I wanted to deliver a message that to take an action is not so difficult. Any good deed for the sake of others can change the world.” — Shota Taguchi volunteers through one of Habitat’s campus chapters at Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan.

“The joy my mom and I feel when we volunteer together is truly amazing. We are surrounded by other women in the community. And within a week, we see the house from start to finish. The volunteer experience is so rewarding, and we look forward to it every year!” — Natalie Bergeron volunteers with Habitat Greater Orlando through Habitat’s Women Build volunteer program.

“Any good deed for the sake of others can change the world.”
— Habitat volunteer Shota Taguchi

“I’ve been lucky in life to be able to make a good living doing what I love to do. And I figure now it’s my turn to give back. It wasn’t just working, it wasn’t just building, it wasn’t just getting out of the house. There is something bigger involved. And it keeps me coming back.” — Ted Marstiller is a volunteer with Habitat Greater Pittsburgh.

“I’ve basically been all over the entire planet; I’ve learned a lot. This is still changing my life in other ways.” — Enzo Repola has participated in 23 of Habitat’s Global Village volunteer trips since 2001, the year he retired.

“The one thing that brings all these people together is the Habitat experience. We’re all here with the single purpose of helping and being positive. That’s what really brought us together.” — Enzo’s grandson Luca, reflecting on his first Global Village trip.

“I want to see firsthand how a family, a neighborhood, a community can be revitalized.” — Terence Patterson volunteered during the 2016 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.

“For me, being able to go to another dedication and see that family get their key, open the door to their house, cut the ribbon like I did. It’s just such an amazing feeling to know I used to be that kid, and I’m doing what the volunteers did.” — Steven Aguilar grew up in a Habitat Orange County home and now volunteers through Habitat’s youth programs.

Let Habitat help you discover your own motivation for helping others. Find your local Habitat, select a way to get involved that fits you best, and we will see you there!