The Power to Volunteer

When was the last time you truly connected with a stranger? Not just a polite nod, but an actual moment of shared humanity? Maybe you saw someone put a package of dark chocolate peanut butter cups into their cart at Trader Joe’s. You wanted to tell them to grab another—buying them in twos just makes sense—but instead, you kept shopping, got those two packages yourself, and went on with your day. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT- GET TWO.

In my relatively short life, I’ve noticed a decline in authentic, spontaneous interactions. Sure, some of it might stem from the pandemic, but let’s be honest—the bigger culprit is the divisiveness that seems to define our society. These days, it feels like we spend more time identifying what separates us than recognizing what brings us together. It’s as if we’ve all been assigned teams we never signed up for, convinced that anyone wearing a different jersey is our opponent. And, of course, let’s not forget the ever-present screen in our hands—always pulling us away from real-life connection.

But here’s the thing: humans are wired for connection. We need it—not just for our emotional well-being, but for our physical health too. Studies show that social bonds are linked to lower stress, longer lifespans, and even improved cognitive function. MRI scans reveal that when we’re not actively engaged, our brains default to the “social” regions, almost as if they’re waiting for the next human interaction. So despite what Simon & Garfunkel might have sung, we are not islands.

So, Where Do We Find Connection?

Sure, church, school, and work provide opportunities to meet people. But what if we want more? What if we could build relationships and improve our mental health, boost our self-esteem, reduce stress, increase happiness, strengthen memory, and—get this—even lower our mortality rate? Sounds like a no-brainer, right? The answer lies in volunteering.

I grew up in a household where volunteering wasn’t just encouraged—it was a way of life. My dad was active in the American Legion, meaning many Sunday mornings were spent making stacks of pancakes and plates of sausage. He was also a dedicated member of the Lions Club, even serving as president. Most days, he was out helping people—fixing barns, driving friends to doctor’s appointments, or providing shuttle service for those in need. It wasn’t about politics or religion. It was simply about helping. And that’s the thing about service—it transcends labels. When we witness acts of kindness, we feel inspired to do the same. That’s not a coincidence. We are programmed to help.

Find What Speaks to You

While helping people is wonderful, my personal volunteer work has always centered around animals. I found that I could offer more time and effort to causes I truly cared about. That’s one of the best things about volunteering—you get to choose! No one is forcing you to do anything you don’t want to do, and I promise you, every single organization needs help. You’re not clocking in or out. You give the time you can, and it will always be appreciated—by the organization and the community it serves.

The Ripple Effect

At the end of the day, despite our differences, we all want the same things: a better society, meaningful work, peace, happiness, and the chance to achieve our goals. If each of us gave even a little of our time to improving one thing, imagine the ripple effect—not just in our own lives, but in the lives of those around us. We’d grow together, become less self-absorbed, and strengthen our communities in ways we can’t even begin to measure.

I’m proud to be raising a young man who understands the value of volunteer work and gives his time to Kalamazoo Animal Rescue, NOT bringing home more cats. And I can say with absolute certainty that the experiences I’ve had—whether it was rehabilitating injured wildlife or simply laughing with fellow volunteers—have been far more rewarding than any time spent, any bumps and bruises earned, and yes, even the near-divorce caused by an unexpected crow roommate. (For the record, crows are extremely intelligent and known great roommates, but my husband did not find that fact particularly comforting, and the fact that she systematically dismantled his office regularly...but I digress.)

So, What’s Stopping You?

Think about what you love and go help it grow. Show up. Maybe even bring a box of those dark chocolate peanut butter cups. And if you don’t know where to start, check out your local community board, animal shelter, or a volunteer site like VolunteerMatch or HandsOn Connect.

You won’t regret it. And it matters.

Laura