Volunteerism Quotes

That churchgoers do the lion's share of the charitable work in our communities is simply untrue. They get credit for it because they do a better job of tying the good works they do to their creed. But according to a 1998 study, 82% of volunteerism by churchgoers falls under the rubric of "church maintenance" activities -- volunteerism entirely within, and for the benefit of, the church building and immediate church community. As a result of this siphoning of volunteer energy into the care and feeding of churches themselves, most of the volunteering that happens out in the larger community -- from AIDS hospices to food shelves to international aid workers to those feeding the hungry and housing the homeless and caring for the elderly -- comes from the category of "unchurched" volunteers.

I interviewed my dad on video in his final weeks. When I asked about his work and finding meaning through helping others, he responded, "I don't think you can be focused on, 'Oh gee, I want to make a difference.' It has to be spontaneous. If it's not...there's some kind of egotistical thing going on. That's a red flag. You hope you impact people on the deepest level you are capable of at the time. Sometimes you hit it, sometimes you don't. You're trying.

Lisa J. Shannon

To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.

Abraham Lincoln

My old man says when it's time to be counted, the important thing is to be man enough to stand up.

Robert A. Heinlein

There were many, many times thereafter that Don regretted having enlisted - but so has every man who ever volunteered for military service.

Robert A. Heinlein

He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.

Abraham Lincoln

Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don't live in a world all of your own.

Albert Schweitzer

Allow the way to your great work to be guided by your service to others.

The interior joy we feel when we have done a good deed is the nourishment the soul requires.

Albert Schweitzer

The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.

Gordon B. Hinckley

The heart of service is grace of belonging.

Lailah Gifty Akita

It's impossible to be involved in all situations, but there's no excuse not to be involved in something, somewhere, somehow, with someone. Make an ounce of difference.

Richelle E. Goodrich

Whenever we have opportunity to serve, we must serve with all our heart.

Lailah Gifty Akita

For a second, I stared at the map of her veins just under the surface of her thin skin. It was like her body was trying to become diaphanous. Instead of getting harder and stronger and full of life as we age, we disappear slowly. Our skin thins and evaporates. Our nails barely coat our fingertips. Our hair falls out. We are never more see-through.

Laura Anderson Kurk

My dad used to say, ‘This is what your right arm’s for, son,’” John said. “This is the time and these are the people and I’d give my right arm to be a light, a comfort, to them. I know you would, too. In whatever form it takes. Use these materials and make something great. Do it on faith, knowing you probably won’t be around to see how the story ends.

Laura Anderson Kurk

30 or 40 of such voluntary gentlemen would do more in a day than 100 of the rest that must be press'd to it by compulsion.

You don't have to be a billionaire to believe you can make a difference. Give your resources to a charity and volunteer in your community.

Volunteering to help others is the right thing to do, and it also boosts personal happiness; a review of research by the Corporation for National and Community Service shows that those who aid the causes they value tend to be happier and in better health. They show fewer signs of physical and mental aging. And it's not just that helpful people also tend to be healthier and happier; helping others causes happiness. "Be selfless, if only for selfish reasons," as one of my happiness paradoxes holds. About one-quarter of Americans volunteer, and of those, a third volunteer for more than a hundred hours each year.

Do the good work, with the resources you have.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Don’t despise your contributions to Humanity. Every little kind deed counts.

Lailah Gifty Akita

May we find more grace to do good deeds.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Good deeds awaken the good spirit of every soul.

Lailah Gifty Akita

We can serve humanity with our divine passions and gifted skills.

Lailah Gifty Akita

It is only love that fuels the spirit of great deeds.

Lailah Gifty Akita

I have what takes to get the job done.

Lailah Gifty Akita

He who want to be served must first know how to serve.

Lailah Gifty Akita

A leader has a great duty. You have to perform beyond the expectation of the people.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Always work enthusiastically.

Lailah Gifty Akita

It is better to serve than be served.

Lailah Gifty Akita

I’m not sure about all the particulars that led to this moment. Do I believe life is a series of dots to be connected…or that no one can outrun destiny…or that all roads lead to truth and coincidence is a lie to distract us? The reason I was in this place no longer mattered. The harsh reality stared me in the face and demanded an immediate decision. Walk away and blame it on my age. Or stay and try to help a woman who had slowly become my friend over the last few weeks.

Laura Anderson Kurk

Look at this one.” I picked up a small painting of a man with dark hair and a short, dark beard. He wore a loose shirt, cobalt blue, unbuttoned at the top, showing a prominent, knobby collarbone. He looked…complicated and hungry. She’d captured him focused intensely on a book, his face pressed against a wall like he was resting. Or waiting.

Laura Anderson Kurk

I’d stumbled upon the inner sanctuary of a woman who loved the world. Loved the faces of people she saw. Loved the way a hand looked when it was relaxed. Loved the way a woman looked when she touched her own face. The way a man looked when he opened himself to her. Loved the way wind changed a tree or a field or a child’s hair. The beauty of a neck meeting a shoulder. The softness of a smile that wasn’t forced.

Laura Anderson Kurk

The more you give of yourself, the more you find yourself.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Our ancestors did great work for humanity. What will we do for the next generations?

Lailah Gifty Akita

The spirit of volunteerism is the spirit of service.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Lailah Gifty Akita

Do all the work you while you still have strength.

Lailah Gifty Akita

What needs to be done will be done by grace.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Work with enthusiasm.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Together, we can serve humanity with our unique passions, gifts and abilities.

Lailah Gifty Akita

The more we serve, the more strength, we receive to keep the good deeds.

Lailah Gifty Akita

You must put all your heart into everything you do.

Lailah Gifty Akita

The sacred soul who desire to work, must not be interrupted.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Serve one another with great humility.

Lailah Gifty Akita

If you find a need, reach out to help.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Generosity is an act of love.

Lailah Gifty Akita

I will get the work done with or without pay.

Lailah Gifty Akita

We are all valuable. Humanity needs our individual services.

Lailah Gifty Akita

If every citizen should recite their national anthem daily, you will develop love to serve your country better.

Lailah Gifty Akita

The greatest conduct is love in action.

Lailah Gifty Akita

May we reach out to one another in love, in faith and in kindness.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Give what you possess.

Lailah Gifty Akita

We work in the best of our abilities.

Lailah Gifty Akita

With or without payment, the work will be done.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Steve Thomas Rooney embraces a simple concept of providing a hand up versus a hand out to families in need. We are deeply grateful to volunteers, donors and other supporters around the world who help us with this life-changing work

Be nice to people... maybe it'll be unappreciated, unreciprocated, or ignored, but spread the love anyway. We rise by lifting others.

We have to work and serve humanity while we have the grace.

Lailah Gifty Akita

If you put your heart into everything you do, you will recreate yourself.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Leaders find a need and quickly respond to the need.

Lailah Gifty Akita

Our deeds and actions can change the heart of men.

Lailah Gifty Akita

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