Eat right and get plenty of exercise. We’ve all heard that prescription for a healthy life. Turns out there’s another key ingredient to longevity: Helping others.
In parts of the world where people live the longest with less chronic disease, residents are engaged in their communities. Getting involved—and giving back—helps you meet like-minded people and create new social networks. And research shows that making those connections can help reduce mortality rates, improve functional ability and lower rates of depression.
Just ask Patrice Jones, founder and executive director of Southside Community Gardens, a grass-roots initiative that builds raised garden boxes at the homes of community members in Fort Worth’s 76104 ZIP code, which has the lowest life-expectancy in the nation.
With no paid staff, the organization depends on volunteers to build garden beds, lay soil, and plant fruits and vegetables for area residents. Master gardeners also donate their time to make sure each family gets a garden that fits their needs. Jones volunteers nearly 40 hours a week to sustain the project through fundraising, building relationships, recruiting gardeners, and helping almost 70 families maintain and keep their gardens growing.
“Volunteering is very important to me because it keeps me connected and grounded to the community,” Jones said. “We are empowering our neighbors by teaching them to grow and maintain the gardens themselves. This a skill for the families we serve, and our volunteers are also gaining that knowledge.”
According to data from AmeriCorps and the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 51% of our country’s population informally volunteer by running errands for neighbors, dog sitting or doing other things to lend a hand. An estimated 23% of Americans formally volunteer with organizations in their communities, dedicating over 4 billion hours of their time with an economic value of $122.9 billion.
Without that support, many nonprofits could not afford to operate. Deanna McNair is the lead scheduling and routing coordinator for Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County. She says more than 5,400 caring volunteers help the organization offer community support through nutritious meals and coordinated services that improve well-being.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, and we simply could not do this mission without them,” McNair said. Her personal volunteer journey began at a young age, picking up trash on the school playground during recess and helping teachers with special projects after school. The sense of satisfaction from those efforts led to a lifetime commitment to give back.
“It gives me a sense of pride to know I have helped with a project or a festival, and I did it on my own time and of my own free will,” McNair said. “Volunteering allows me to meet new people, learn about their likes and jobs, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Not everything we do for others in life needs monetary compensation.”
Companies that offer volunteer opportunities can benefit both their employees and their bottom line. A 2010 online survey conducted by UnitedHealthcare showed that workers who are given opportunities to volunteer feel better about their employer and 81% said it helped them form stronger relationships with colleagues.
Jo Henkel, an employee of Fidelity Investments in Westlake, Texas, says her company’s associate-led volunteer program, Fidelity Cares, gives employees a chance to work with nonprofit organizations and help drive impact in local communities.
As a leader for Fidelity’s volunteer team, Henkel coordinates with benefiting organizations, organizes volunteers, and literally digs in to make a difference. Recently, she got her hands dirty with Blue Zones Project’s school learning garden initiative at Bonnie Brae Elementary in Fort Worth. Volunteers were provided materials to build raised garden beds that will help students discover the joy of growing their own healthy food.
“I always leave any volunteer project I host, head, or attend, with a clearer and more positive mindset,” Henkel said. “The more physical volunteer activities and events are, the more rewarded I leave, since I get a bonus workout from it – which makes my body feel great, too! I volunteer because I love it and it is important, and the mental and physical health benefits are astoundingly positive, so I certainly do feel it.”
Whether it’s supporting the work of a local nonprofit, participating in a community event, or simply helping a neighbor in need, sharing your talents is definitely a dose of good medicine. It’s an important way to support the people and organizations that you care about, and in turn provides a sense of purpose that can help you live a longer, better life.
To learn about a variety of volunteer opportunities in our community, visit our Volunteer Page at LiveLongFortWorth.org.