Lately, many of us have been feeling the pressure of this turbulent, uncertain time. With the constant funnel of news developments, and making a living in a rollercoaster economy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I know… this has been said over and over again for nearly a decade, bear with me! These massive forces can make the average person feel like they can’t make a difference. One of LexBlog’s values is care, and I want to take some time to reflect on how this attitude of caring can be channeled into meaningful actions.
An hour of volunteering won’t solve world hunger tomorrow, but does that mean personal efforts are meaningless? I’ve wrestled with this question, and a podcast episode by Vox was a refreshing perspective: Why volunteering is worth it. I’m by no means a perfect citizen, but I’ve always had an interest in giving back. And it’s been hard to know where to start. What’s the most effective use of time? The best place to donate? This podcast gave me hope. Consistent small acts of kindness and local involvement can make a surprisingly impactful difference!
Overcoming Cynicism: You Can Make a Difference
Like Rachel Cohen (Vox Podcast reporter), I’m a millennial who came of age in the 2008 crash. In my opinion, many movements and politicians of the time rightfully pointed out that issues need to be solved at the source with systemic change. She mentioned an example of this logic, pointing out that companies stopping the use of plastic could do way more for the environment than individuals recycling. No matter what you believe, getting powerful institutions like the government and companies on board with your values makes a huge impact. But how do smaller gradual actions stack up to that lofty approach?
Let’s take a look at some stats. As it turns out volunteer efforts, collectively, really do add up! In 2021, approximately 60.7 million adults in the U.S. formally volunteered, contributing over 4.1 billion hours of service. That time spent is valued at $122.9 billion! This doesn’t even count those who informally helped out in their communities.
Individual Giving vs. Corporate and Government Support
Now you may be asking, how does this compare to resources provided by companies and the U.S. government? When it comes to charitable causes, people raise much more money than corporations. In 2022, individuals gave $326.87 billion, compared to the $21.08 billion donated by corporations that same year. The difference here is honestly staggering.
So we’ve done the math. Giving individual time and money does make a difference! No questions there.
Turning Belief into Action
We all want to try our best, but making a difference doesn’t mean being perfect. Honestly, we all have busy lives! It can be a luxury to have the time to spend hours at a town hall meeting or fundraiser. And it’s important to spend time with loved ones, enjoy life, and recharge. But, unfortunately, volunteer rates are declining. Regardless of what you believe, many people rely on government services to get by. And with the future of many programs being so uncertain, now is an important time to step up if you’re able.
Get Involved in Your Community: You’re Not Alone
Individual action doesn’t mean being a lone wolf. Finding ways to collaborate with organizations and people you know can help your efforts go further.
There are many non-profit organizations that could use some help. Currently, there are more than 1.7 million nonprofits in the United States. 88% of nonprofits have a budget of less than $500,000. You’d expect support from foundations or corporations to keep these orgs afloat. However, smaller nonprofits rely considerably more on individual contributions.
Volunteering formally and informally goes much further when you’re building connections. As Bowling Alone author Robert Putnam emphasized in the podcast, “a community in which people are more connected with one another. The whole community functions better, not just the two people involved in a given exchange… If I as a parent get involved in my child’s school, I join the PTA or I volunteer in the classroom or whatever, that turns out to be good for my child. But the astonishing thing is my getting involved has even more effect on the success and the happiness and so on of other kids in the school. Even the kids I don’t actually see.”
I’ve lived in small apartments for many years and never really knew my neighbors. But lately, just getting to know my neighbors in a breezy casual way has made my life better. Saying hello to my next-door neighbor and talking about the weather led to them offering to help fix my broken gate. Going to dinners down the street helped me find out how to volunteer in my neighborhood. If giving time or money isn’t feasible for you, being present in small ways has ripple effects that make communities stronger.
Ways to Take Action
With so many strides in technology, there are many ways to get involved. Both in person and remotely.
Volunteer In-Person or Virtually:
- VolunteerMatch – Find volunteer opportunities near you.
- Mutual Aid Hub – Connect with grassroots mutual aid networks.
- Feeding America – Volunteer with local food banks.
- Be My Eyes – Assist visually impaired individuals remotely.
- DoSomething.org – Engage in activism and social impact projects.
- Catchafire – Use your professional skills to help nonprofits.
Some of us may be looking for ways to promote charitable giving at a government level. There are actions individuals can take in this realm as well.
Advocate for Public Service Programs:
- USA.gov Elected Officials – Contact your representatives.
- Common Cause – Engage in democracy and policy advocacy.
- 5 Calls – Get scripts and contact info for calling lawmakers.
- Town Hall Project – Find and attend public meetings with elected officials.
The Takeaway
As Vox reporter Rachel Cohen mentioned: “I just don’t think we’re actually better off when people withhold their time and their generosity.” I couldn’t agree more. No one has to choose between systemic change and individual action—each fuels the other. By volunteering, donating, and advocating, you’re not just making an impact, you’re helping to build the kind of world we all want to live in.