December 5th is International Volunteer Day (IVD), to be more precise, the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development. I think International Volunteer Day allows us to give thanks and appreciate all those people who volunteer their time and services to others. Where would our most vulnerable people have been if it was not for the generosity of their local communities pulling together during disasters and pandemics.

But it is not just when things are bad that people help out

Every day there are huge numbers of people giving of their time and expertise to help others. Whether it be the unpaid coach helping the local football team, or the lady running the hospital shop and all the others in between.
Governments of course will be aiming to raise awareness and encourage more volunteers both at home and abroad.

The UN’s millennium development goals are wide ranging and their aim is to have volunteers help with:

Eradicating poverty.
universal primary education.
Gender equality
Reduce child mortality
Reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases.

Over the years, governments, businesses, non-profit making organisations, as well as individuals contribute to the day through activities such as:

Voluntary community projects.
Award ceremonies for volunteers who made significant contributions to their communities.
“Time donation” campaigns that involve people pledging hours of voluntary service to specific projects.
Companies launching voluntary programs as part of their corporate responsibility.
Volunteer competitions.
Parades, marches, or rallies. 

If you want to get involved but don’t know where to begin try the World Volunteer Web, https://www.world-volunteer.com or just google volunteer organisations and you will discover a whole new world.