"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking more than you need."

-- Kahlil Gibran

What are the values of community service?

• It is a way for us to regain a sense of community.
• It links us to the wider community and exposes us to people and situations outside our every day experiences.
• We develop new skills, assume responsibilities and become aware of the needs of others.
• We learn how to give and serve unselfishly

What are the benefits of community service...

• Helping others builds self-esteem.  You feel good because you are making a difference.
• When you help others, you appreciate what you have and realize how blessed you are.
• When you are volunteering, there is no time to feel lonely, guilty, or afraid.
• Volunteering empowers you to better understand people, the organization you are working with, and yourself.
• You are helping to improve your community for yourself and for others.

 As a point of comparison, imagine what our world would be like if no one volunteered...

• There would be no social, leisure or sporting activities and no Olympic Games without volunteer coaches and organizers.
• There would be no music events, concerts, or festivals without volunteer fundraisers.
• There would be little medical research, advice or support for people with specific health problems.
• People would die without volunteer search and rescue teams or the American Red Cross.
• Much of the landscape, wildlife and areas of natural beauty would suffer from neglect.
• Countless old and disabled people would be isolated and lonely.
• The homeless would have few places to turn for help.