Find Your Place To Volunteer
By Crystal McKiernan, Love Stanislaus County
Every spring, the large signs around town remind us that Love Modesto is coming soon. This cit-wide volunteer day has been happening every April for the last 17 years and has inspired thousands of people to give back to our community. In a world that is seemingly more divided each and every day, Love Modesto provides an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to join together to make a difference in their community. To come alongside their neighbors and show love to those in need. Cleaning parks, writing thank you notes to veterans, encouraging hospice patients, washing emergency vehicles, buying new pajamas for children in foster care, and handing out flowers to the elderly are just a handful of the projects that community members can sign up for. We hear year after year from people who have joined us about what an inspiring day it is!
But the vision behind Love Modesto has always been to use this one day event to inspire volunteerism year-round.
Statistics show that volunteerism reduces stress, combats depression, prevents feelings of isolation, and gives us a sense of purpose and meaning. Did you know it is reported 90% of Americans want to volunteer but only 1 in 4 actually do? One of the identified barriers is not having an easy way to find opportunities so we have created Volunteer Central to help solve this issue. This online platform is designed to make finding places to volunteer simple and inspiring.
We believe everyone has a passion; something they care deeply about. We want to help people find ways to use their passion to impact others through volunteering by providing an easy way for people to find volunteer opportunities happening all year long.
Whether you need community service hours, want a team-building project for your workplace, or love finding ways to serve together as a family, Volunteer Central makes it easy to get started.
Make a plan to volunteer on April 25.
Go to LoveModesto.com to see projects. Most of these are in the morning and are done by mid-day. Check out the projects. Go to 11th and I Street at 7 am, April 25.
There is food, vendors and even a special hot breakfast cooked by North Modesto Kiwanis Club. You will feel really good about yourself and our community. Project kick off rally at 8 am.
