The simple act of volunteering can be hugely rewarding. Why spend your valuable time and energy without getting paid for it? Volunteering is certainly an altruistic activity – with huge benefits to the individual volunteer in terms of skill development and networking, and even bigger benefits to our non-profit community.
In an effort to meet the needs of our non-profit community, the Vail Valley Partnership developed the Vail Valley Volunteer Connection earlier this year (with special thanks to Eagle County, the Vail Valley Medical Center and the United Way of the Eagle River Valley for their support in developing this program). In an effort to provide an on-line resource to non-profits and as a way to promote volunteerism in the community we created Vail Valley Volunteers.com. In that short time, we’ve seen great traction with almost 1,000 page views since the site launched in February of this year. The site lists all our non-profit partners with direct contact information to their volunteer coordinators or main point of contact, as well as signature programs with volunteer needs.
In addition, we printed 15,000 copies of the Vail Valley Volunteer Guide to help increase awareness of our non-profit community here in the valley. As a result of these efforts, we’ve received dozens of inquiries from destination guests looking to give back to the community by volunteering part of their vacation time to our community. And hopefully we’ve increased awareness of the needs of the non-profit community.
Our non-profit community is an integral part of our community – it’s part of who we are, and it’s a spirit that is embedded in our culture. With so many great organizations to choose from, there’s no reason not to get engaged. As fall quickly arrives and the leaves start to change, be sure to check out Vail Valley Volunteers.com and budget some time with your favorite non-profit organization.
Think there’s nothing out there that fits your needs? I’d beg to differ. We have:
• 11 youth and children programs
• 9 community development programs
• 5 cultural programs
• 4 environmental programs
• 5 health & nutrition programs
• 8 human needs service programs
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg – there is always the opportunity to volunteer your time at your child’s school or with your local business association. Volunteering is less about giving your valuable time and more about helping others – while at the same time benefiting your own personal and professional development.
So be a part of your community, build your personal network and help your favorite non-profit to achieve their mission by volunteering.
As always, I encourage all member businesses to get engaged with the Partnership and to contact us with any suggestions you may have to help us better serve you. Call us at (970) 476-1000 or stop by our offices in Avon at Traer Creek Plaza to share your feedback.