International Volunteer Day 2023: Date, History and way to volunteer for the day

International Volunteer Day 2023: December 5 is International Volunteer Day. Today honors volunteers who have improved societies, economies, and environments. On this day, people focus on local issues. The goal is to alter people’s perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors so they may be agents of change and work together to improve the world, not only volunteer for one day. All relationships in this world are based on sustainable human growth and equity.

International Volunteer Day history

Volunteerism began in medieval Europe, when religion and health care went hand in hand. England has hundreds of church-run hospitals for lepers and plague victims. By the 18th century, volunteering was more about military service than community work. Modern organized volunteering began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Red Cross, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and Y.M.C.A. started collecting money, mobilizing volunteers, and providing charity and community service.

American volunteerism began during the Revolutionary War. It was more about regular people loving their nation and supporting the war than faith-based charitable work in other countries. In the 1820s, the Second Great Awakening rekindled religion and spurred many Americans to get involved in tackling local problems. At this time, the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and United Way volunteered. Homeless shelters and soup kitchens became common in the US after the Great Depression.

The UN Volunteers Programme has organized December 5 International Volunteer Day since 1985. Their work with civil society groups, government agencies, corporations, non-profits, people, and academic institutions has highlighted the relevance of volunteering in community and nation-building. Volunteering is crucial to building a peaceful and sustainable planet. This holiday encourages community involvement and volunteering.

How to celebrate International Volunteer Day

Give to a volunteer group

Volunteer groups operate with donations. Donate on International Volunteer Day to help vulnerable groups and frontline workers.

Get involved with volunteering

Participate in community volunteering. Share photos or videos of your work with #VolunteerNow to raise awareness and motivate others.

Read World Volunteerism Report

The UN publishes the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (S.W.V.R.) every three years. It tracks global volunteer initiatives and their benefits.

5 Volunteering Facts

Volunteering reduces stress.

Volunteering creates community and reduces melancholy and stress.

Volunteers are happy.

Volunteers who volunteer every two to four weeks are 12% happier than non-volunteers.

Lower death rates

Volunteering, especially among the elderly, reduces mortality and improves life quality.

Managing chronic pain

Clinical studies demonstrates that volunteering improves health and chronic pain management.

Volunteers get jobs more often.

After being unemployed, volunteers are 27% more likely to obtain work, and volunteers without a high school certificate are 51% more likely.

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Why This Day Matters

Making the future better

Supporting a good cause today improves the planet tomorrow. Care for the environment, develop schools, and teach children essential skills to improve the future and set an example.

Long-term global solutions

We may not have all the answers to the world’s issues, but working together increases our chances of finding sustainable solutions. When the public solves problems, their solutions are more inclusive and people-centric and more likely to last.

Motivating people to volunteer

Volunteering inspires people when they see how it benefits their society, economy, and environment. On International Volunteer Day, educating the public about important topics and highlighting how others’ efforts have improved things inspires them to volunteer.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY DATES