The Importance of Volunteering

One of the best feelings a person can have is selflessly helping someone or donating their time to an organization close to their heart. Throughout the past several years, I have discovered how truly wonderful this feeling can be. From working at a local pantry to Badger Dairy Camp to the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Youth Leadership Derby to serving as a member of the Junior Activities Committee, I have thoroughly enjoyed every opportunity to volunteer. In my opinion, there are three main aspects to volunteering that I enjoy the most.

By definition, volunteering is giving your time to help others. Volunteering is your chance to give back for everything that people have given to you. It is also a way to selflessly give up a part of your day to make the community better. The people that you are helping greatly appreciate it. After your experience with them, they might just want to volunteer too.

You learn something new every day… As a volunteer at Badger Dairy Camp or Cow Camp, I never stopped learning. There is always something new in the industry. What better chance is there to ask one of the leaders in the dairy industry a question? Apply it to your own situation, seize the opportunity to ask questions, and at the very least get their opinion.

The last aspect, and maybe my favorite part of volunteering is having fun and making new friends. I’ll never forget some of the stories from camps that I have attended. Not to mention that you will make lifelong friends. Some of my favorite memories are from those warm starry nights around the fire.

Whether you’re donating a couple hours to ring a bell for the Salvation Army or just giving your last fifty-two cents to the Ronald McDonald House, every little bit is appreciated. Next time that you’re put in the situation to volunteer, I hope that you think about all the people that you can help. It’s definitely worth it.

Happy Holidays From the JAC's,
Mitch Kappelman