Norton: A shout out to volunteers
There is something so uniquely special about the people who volunteer their time. Not just the fact that they put in the effort and the work, but in the way they do the work and put in the time. When we see them in their volunteer environment, we are usually treated to big smiles and expressions of gratitude for the privilege of volunteering.
That has always struck me. Think about it for a moment. They are the ones giving time, energy, talent, and often resources, yet they’re the ones expressing gratitude. That alone tells us something important about a volunteer’s heart. Volunteering isn’t transactional. It isn’t about getting something back. It’s about contributing, serving, and showing up because it’s the right thing to do.
When we think about volunteering, we sometimes wrestle with the idea of giving up our own time, since our lives are already busy and seem to be getting busier. Calendars are full. Notifications never stop. The margin in our days feels thin at best. And it’s not just our time, it’s our resources, including coaching, advising, or providing guidance. It could even mean volunteering our money, just a nicer way of saying donating our money.
And if we’re honest, it’s easy to talk ourselves out of volunteering by convincing ourselves that “someday” we’ll have more time, more flexibility, or fewer commitments. The truth? Someday rarely shows up on its own. Volunteers don’t volunteer because their lives are empty. They volunteer because they’ve decided that serving others deserves a place on their calendar.
If we took a moment to seek out volunteer opportunities, we would find more than we could ever imagine. Opportunities in our communities, in our schools, hospitals, nursing homes, churches, and so many more, including not-for-profit organizations all over the world. The needs are everywhere. And so are the opportunities to make a difference, often in ways that don’t require a massive commitment, just consistency and willingness.
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We can think about our gifts or talents to see where our services could add the most value, or we could just volunteer our time to do some of the work that needs to get done. Both matter. Sometimes the most impactful service isn’t glamorous or specialized. It’s showing up early, staying late, stacking chairs, serving meals, listening patiently, or simply being present.
Volunteers come from all walks of life and every age group. It really warms my heart whenever I see people serving others in whatever capacity they do. Whether it is through their day jobs or when they volunteer, whether they are already a volunteer firefighter or EMT, doctor, lawyer, teacher, police officer, nurse, chef, athlete, or any other professional or employee, or whether they are young children running a lemonade stand to raise money for a great cause or a retiree spending time in the service of others, it is what we are all called to do in some way.
What’s also worth noting is what volunteering does to the volunteer. Service has a way of recalibrating our perspective. It pulls us out of our own world and reminds us that we are part of something bigger. It builds empathy. It fosters gratitude. It reconnects us to our shared humanity. In a world that often feels divided, volunteering is one of the most practical ways to build bridges.
Volunteers are culture builders. They quietly shape the character of our communities. They fill gaps that would otherwise remain open. They step into moments of need without needing recognition or applause. And while they may not always get the spotlight, their impact is lasting and deeply felt.
This is a shout-out, yes, but it’s also an invitation. An invitation to notice, to step forward, and to remember that giving isn’t something we fit in after everything else is done. It’s part of how we live well, lead well, and leave things better than we found them.
To every volunteer: thank you. You remind us what generosity looks like in action. And to the rest of us: the door is wide open. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com. There’s room for all of us to serve, and when we do, it really will lead to a better-than-good life.
