Did You Know?
The end of the year is often a popular time to volunteer, as the spirit of giving that’s synonymous with the holiday season compels millions of people to make an effort to support local charities and nonprofit organizations. In years past, that might have made it difficult for prospective volunteers to find organizations in need of volunteers. How ever, as the world continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, charitable organizations and non-profits may have a host of opportunities for prospective volunteers. A 2020 report from Fidelity Charitable found that volunteer activity shifted considerably during the pandemic. Prior to the onset of the pandemic in 2019, 81 percent of volun teers lent a hand in person. That number dropped to just 35 percent during the pandemic. That left many charities and non-profits in need of in person volunteers. The rollout of three successful vaccines will no doubt compel more people to volunteer in person as 2021 draws to a close, and there should be plenty of opportunities to help charitable organizations in need. In addition, the pandemic might have led some non-profits to expand their remote volunteering operations, an expansion that does not need to end even as the world gradually transitions to life after COVID-19. That should mean there’s still plenty of chances to embrace remote or virtual volunteering.