Volunteers are the backbone of a community

“Though government has an important role to play in meeting the many challenges that remain before us, we are coming to understand that no organization, including government, will fully succeed without the active participation of each of us,” President Bill Clinton once said. “Volunteers are vital to enabling this country to live up to the true promise of its heritage.”

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and it is a time to not only reflect on the many contributions people make to their communities, but to focus some creative thinking on other ways we can give back. No community can thrive without the efforts of volunteers, people who give up their time without asking for anything in return. They do it because they feel a civic obligation to help others, or simply because they want to.

Where would our neighborhoods be without volunteers? Look no further than your local Fire Department. In Nassau County, most departments are made up entirely of volunteers. Even in places like Long Beach, which have a small paid force, the department is more than 80 percent volunteer. Not only do firefighters go through extensive training, but they must be prepared to leave their families at a moment’s notice to respond to emergencies and put themselves in harm’s way. They protect our lives and our property, and they do it because they care about their neighbors.

Local hospitals enlist the help of volunteers who help spread cheer and bring joy to the sick. Volunteers play cards with patients, bring them newspapers, flowers or their mail, visit them with specially trained dogs or just keep them company. They also do clerical work and greet visitors in the lobby.

Schools rely heavily on volunteers. Every school has an active PTA unit made up of parent volunteers. They host educational events in the school, raise funds to send students on field trips and help teachers in the classroom. Who’s that handing students cold drinks on a hot June morning during a field day? Most likely a parent volunteer.