National Volunteer Month: Make a Difference in Your Community
Generosity isn’t just about giving money—it’s also about giving time, and that can be just as impactful.
Generous living – and giving – can make an extraordinary difference in transforming the lives of others. One of the most impactful ways to give generously is to donate your time.
Every April is National Volunteer Month, a time dedicated to celebrating volunteers’ work and contributions and their commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve.
With April right around the corner, we’re shining a light on why volunteering matters, how FAIRWINDS crewmembers give generously year-round, and how you can participate in National Volunteer Month.
Why Volunteering Matters
Monetary contributions toward a favorite charity or a cause important to you is vital to helping those in need. Did you know that donating your time is as valuable as donating your treasure? According to the Independent Sector, the national estimated value of one hour of volunteering is $33.49!
In 2023, over 75 million of the U.S. population age 16 and up formally volunteered their time through an organization according to joint research by the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps.
This impact is one of the of the many reasons why FAIRWINDS provides crewmembers up to eight hours of paid time off annually to volunteer through the CommUNITY Crew program. “Giving back through volunteering has so many far-reaching effects,” says Adrian Kierulf-Velez, FAIRWINDS Community Relations Manager. “When our crew come together to serve, they’re helping to build stronger, more resilient communities. It helps us all stay connected.”
FAIRWINDS crewmembers volunteered more than 750 hours in 2024, with 200 of those hours served during National Volunteer Month.
Service in Action: One Million Meals for Families in Need
Smalls acts of giving can make a significant impact. CommUNITY Crew started off 2025 in full force. On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, crewmembers and their families turned their day off into a “day on” of service by joining more than 4,000 volunteers to pack one million meals for families facing food insecurity, including those impacted by the devastating wildfires in California. Through collective effort and community spirit, volunteers worked together to make a meaningful difference while honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King.
“Volunteering connects us to our community in such a powerful way,” says Adrian. “Events like these remind us that serving others is the highest form of generosity.”
How You Can Get Involved
This event is just one example of how a few hours of volunteering can lead to change. As we approach National Volunteer Month, we invite you to find ways to get involved in your own community.
A great place to start is visiting VolunteerMatch.org. Find organizations and events where you live that are meaningful to you and your family. You can also visit your local United Way chapter for opportunities to give back.
“We can all drive change together,” says Adrian. “National Volunteer Month is the perfect time to ignite that change and start making a difference today.”