10 Reasons Your Company Should Get Involved in Family Volunteer Day

Family Volunteer Day, traditionally held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in the U.S., offers a wonderful opportunity for families of all shapes and sizes to come together and make a positive impact in their communities. Each year, thousands of families use this day to teach valuable life lessons about compassion, empathy and the power of helping others while strengthening the bonds between each other and their communities.

The Benefits of Volunteering as a Family

Families contribute to their communities in various ways during Family Volunteer Day activities. Volunteering together provides a unique chance for kids, adults, and even aging parents to:

• Make new friends and build social connections: Volunteering brings people together with shared goals, fostering new relationships and expanding social circles.
• Develop compassion and empathy: Volunteering helps individuals understand different perspectives and develop a deeper sense of compassion for their neighbors.
• Gain health benefits: Volunteering can reduce the effects of stress, anxiety and depression, while also improving physical health and cognitive abilities, particularly for older adults.
• Learn new skills: Volunteering offers opportunities to learn new skills and develop existing ones, such as leadership, problem-solving and organization.

The Impact on Youth and Communities

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning at Tufts University, communities are stronger and more resilient when youth participate. When they volunteer, young people gain:

• New knowledge and skills
• A sense of purpose and satisfaction
• Stronger social networks

By actively addressing community challenges, young people realize they can truly make a difference and develop a lifelong commitment to service.

10 Reasons to Encourage Family Volunteering in the Workplace

If those proof points haven’t sold you yet, then consider 10 more. Providing opportunities through the workplace for families to volunteer together:

1. Supports employees’ work-life balance, which increases feelings of well-being and builds a positive attitude in the workplace.
2. Enhances quality time for families by expanding learning opportunities.
3. Provides an opportunity for family members to develop skills in such areas as teamwork, adaptability and accountability.
4. Improves and increases communication among family members.
5. Promotes family cohesion and builds stronger families. Research has identified several qualities that make strong families, including establishing routines such as shared activities, meaningful traditions and connecting to the community — all of which can be gained through volunteering.
6. Gives children positive role models.
7. Demonstrates to children and youth the values of kindness, empathy, respect, inclusivity and tolerance.
8. Contributes to healthy family connections by offering ways for family members to develop or act on a common interest or issue of concern.
9. Offers employees the chance to learn more about their community and the issues that impact their neighbors.
10. Inspires a lifetime of service.

In advance of Nov. 23, 2024, encourage your colleagues to dedicate time with their families to help others. Whether in-person or virtually, supporting a cause together creates lasting positive change.

Visit our website to find resources to share with your workplace, like ideas and instructions, DIY project videos, promotional and social media content, and more! You can also encourage employees to check out the “Volunteer” edition of our Civic Life Today digital magazine, which will help them discuss with their family members all the ways volunteering can make a positive difference.