April is National Volunteer Month and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance invites you to celebrate with us! As an Indiana company, giving back to our local communities is important to us. So much so, that all full-time employees receive two days of paid time off specifically to volunteer for causes important to them. Corporately, we partner with many organizations and host volunteer events to promote fellowship and make our communities a better place.
Celebrating National Volunteer Month
Here’s more in-depth information about National Volunteer Month!
What is National Volunteer Month?
According to the Department of the Interior’s Volunteer.gov page, National Volunteer Month is designed to celebrate and recognize the contributions of volunteers and encourage more people to get involved in their communities. It promotes positivity, inspires others to join the volunteer movement and serves as a reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a long-reaching effect.
When is National Volunteer Week?
This year, National Volunteer Week is observed April 21-27. Americans have celebrated National Volunteer Week since 1974 when President Richard Nixon first established it. The week is a chance to promote volunteerism and appreciate all those who volunteer. Points of Light, a global nonprofit that inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action, states that thousands of volunteer projects and special events are scheduled throughout the week.
There are many societal and personal benefits of volunteerism. Improving your community and helping those around you is always a worthy cause that you can be proud of.
“Studies have shown that volunteering can help you reduce stress, increase happiness and develop confidence, all improving your mental health,” said Danielle Lynch Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance wellness coordinator. “It has been consistently shown that volunteers report better physical health and have lower rates of depression and anxiety than non-volunteers.”
Points of Light, lists improving social skills, making a positive difference, meeting others, using your skills, fulfilling your values and gaining leadership skills among the many benefits of volunteering.
Living a longer, happier life seems like a pretty good reason to us.
How Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance celebrates National Volunteer Month
As an Indiana-based company, we live and work in the same communities we serve. That’s why Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance fosters meaningful relationships with many local charitable organizations. By proudly supporting these partnerships through donations, contributions and employee volunteerism, we’re helping our very own clients, neighbors and friends. To help us do this, we created the IFBI Community program ten years ago.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance provides full-time employees with 16 hours of paid volunteer time annually. Corporately we work with community partners year-round to create volunteer opportunities for employees; employees are also encouraged to use volunteer time to support charitable organizations that are personally meaningful to them. We aren’t just good at your insurance, we’re good at being part of our communities. Our employees serve as gardeners, construction crews, meal preppers, painters, blanket makers and anything else our neighbors need.
We host food, school supply and coat drives throughout the year. In the past, we’ve had volunteer fairs and hosted events to celebrate the United Way of Central Indiana. And we’re currently planning fun events such as a “Garage Sale for Good” and a spring-cleaning event that will benefit some of our corporate partners.
National Volunteer Month at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance
Though the IFBI Community program is year-round, during National Volunteer Month we focus on encouraging our employees to become aware of the greater need in our communities and empower them to give back.
“We organize volunteer opportunities to help our employees become more interested in volunteerism and try to remove some of the barriers that prevent them from doing so,” said Sr. Community Relations Specialist Carrie Patterson, who manages the IFBI Community program. “Maybe they don’t have the time to plan something or aren’t sure what to do or how to do it. We provide resources to make that easier for them.”
We’re turning the heat up for National Volunteer Week!
How can I celebrate National Volunteer Week and Month?
Are you as excited to support your communities as we are? If the answer is yes, take advantage of April to try different types of volunteering. You can work behind the scenes or directly with those you are helping. Find what you like and extend volunteering into a year-long practice.
How do I find volunteer opportunities?
First, decide what you are passionate about and what causes are close to your heart. If you have specific organizations personally meaningful to that you’d like to help, contact them. If not, you can reach out to your local United Way, volunteermatch.org or Serve Indiana to find opportunities in your local community.
Who should volunteer with me?
Anyone you want! Grab a group of friends or coworkers. Talk to your book club or dinner club members about joining you. Volunteer with your family to bring everyone together and help teach your kids gratitude and responsibility. Or grab your special someone and volunteer together. Volunteering together is a great way to deepen your bond by supporting a cause you are both passionate about. Studies have shown that volunteering together helps couples improve communication, understanding and empathy. The Giving and Getting Back: Volunteering in America survey conducted by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society found that giving back widened social circles and enhanced relationships; it also found that volunteering encouraged physical activity and even improved couples’ love life.
Patterson said, “National Volunteer Month highlights different ways that we can each make a meaningful impact. Whether it is volunteering as a group, giving back individually or participating in Good Deeds Day on April 14, every little bit counts.”