By Stéphane Béranger, Canadian Red Cross volunteer
National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate volunteering and giving back to our community.
Giving back is a core value of the Canadian Red Cross, and it relies on the commitment of volunteers from all walks of life to meet humanitarian needs in Canada and around the world.
What do we mean by giving back?
It is the act of giving your time, energy and skills to make a difference in the lives of others, without expecting anything in return.
Giving back can take many forms, from “regular” volunteering to spontaneous acts of kindness to help people in need. Canadian Red Cross volunteers are involved in a wide variety of activities, programs and initiatives such as emergency responses, refugee support, services to Indigenous communities, education and prevention as well as fundraising.
A few illustrious figures
Many mythological and historical figures illustrate the concept of giving back as a moral ideal. In Greek mythology, one example is:
Giving is good for your physical and mental health!
According to an article published by France Bénévolat, various studies and scientific research have shown that not only can volunteering be a remedy for stress and mood swings, it also helps strengthen social ties and contributes to our self-esteem and sense of community.
Those who volunteer also tend to be more physically active, which can lead to better overall health and increased longevity.
On a more physiological note, studies by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the American Psychological Association, and the work of Paul Gilbert in his book “The Compassionate Mind” show that selflessness can help reduce blood pressure, improve immune functions and stimulate the production of oxytocin, one of the neurotransmitters responsible for the feeling of happiness (and emotional well-being).
Why do I volunteer?
I feel a certain level of social responsibility towards people. Being a Canadian Red Cross Response and Communications volunteer allows me to help others and make a difference—as little as it may be—in their lives because I know that the life of people who experience a fire, flooding, disease, conflict, etc. can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye.
I often think about my grandmother, who had to quit school early and often told me that I was lucky to be educated and that I had to use my skills it to help others. Boards of directors and smaller project groups are made up of like-minded people who want to change the world and share my values and interests, and that drives me to help others as much as I can.
Finally, giving back creates a sense of self-fulfillment and an anchor in a world where everything seems to be crumbling under our feet.
Giving back to make a difference
At the Canadian Red Cross, we are proud to be able to count on the time, the energy and the compassion of thousands of dedicated volunteers.
By working together, we can make a real difference in the lives of people in vulnerable situations.
During this week dedicated to volunteering, the Canadian Red Cross encourages all of you to act selflessly, to talk about giving back with people around you, and to make a positive impact in the lives of others while taking care of yourselves.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross, visit our Volunteer Opportunities page to find an opportunity near you and apply.
National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate volunteering and giving back to our community.
Giving back is a core value of the Canadian Red Cross, and it relies on the commitment of volunteers from all walks of life to meet humanitarian needs in Canada and around the world.
What do we mean by giving back?
It is the act of giving your time, energy and skills to make a difference in the lives of others, without expecting anything in return.
Giving back can take many forms, from “regular” volunteering to spontaneous acts of kindness to help people in need. Canadian Red Cross volunteers are involved in a wide variety of activities, programs and initiatives such as emergency responses, refugee support, services to Indigenous communities, education and prevention as well as fundraising.
A few illustrious figures
Many mythological and historical figures illustrate the concept of giving back as a moral ideal. In Greek mythology, one example is:
- Prometheus, a Titan who stole fire from the gods to give it to humans, allowing them to keep warm, cook food and build civilizations. He was severely punished by Zeus for this act, but he is often seen as a symbol of selflessness and altruism.
- Henry Dunant, who was so shocked by the lack of medical care afforded soldiers wounded in the Battle of Solferino that he organized volunteers to care for them regardless of their nationality. In 1863, he founded the International Red Cross, and he received the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.
- Mother Teresa, a woman who dedicated her life to helping the poorest of the poor in India. Founder of the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation that cares for the sick, the dying, orphans and the homeless, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work.
- Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist fighting for the right to education for girls. She continues to advocate for the rights of women and children around the world despite an assassination attempt in 2012. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her commitment to education and human rights.
Giving is good for your physical and mental health!
According to an article published by France Bénévolat, various studies and scientific research have shown that not only can volunteering be a remedy for stress and mood swings, it also helps strengthen social ties and contributes to our self-esteem and sense of community.
Those who volunteer also tend to be more physically active, which can lead to better overall health and increased longevity.
On a more physiological note, studies by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the American Psychological Association, and the work of Paul Gilbert in his book “The Compassionate Mind” show that selflessness can help reduce blood pressure, improve immune functions and stimulate the production of oxytocin, one of the neurotransmitters responsible for the feeling of happiness (and emotional well-being).
Why do I volunteer?
I feel a certain level of social responsibility towards people. Being a Canadian Red Cross Response and Communications volunteer allows me to help others and make a difference—as little as it may be—in their lives because I know that the life of people who experience a fire, flooding, disease, conflict, etc. can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye.
I often think about my grandmother, who had to quit school early and often told me that I was lucky to be educated and that I had to use my skills it to help others. Boards of directors and smaller project groups are made up of like-minded people who want to change the world and share my values and interests, and that drives me to help others as much as I can.
Finally, giving back creates a sense of self-fulfillment and an anchor in a world where everything seems to be crumbling under our feet.
Giving back to make a difference
At the Canadian Red Cross, we are proud to be able to count on the time, the energy and the compassion of thousands of dedicated volunteers.
By working together, we can make a real difference in the lives of people in vulnerable situations.
During this week dedicated to volunteering, the Canadian Red Cross encourages all of you to act selflessly, to talk about giving back with people around you, and to make a positive impact in the lives of others while taking care of yourselves.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross, visit our Volunteer Opportunities page to find an opportunity near you and apply.
