Give the Gift that Keeps on Giving

(ARA) - Thanks to the Internet, and a nonprofit Web site called VolunteerMatch, finding an organization in need of volunteer help has never been easier. VolunteerMatch is dedicated to bringing community service organizations and volunteers together.

The simplicity of the VolunteerMatch service has already helped more than 25,000 nonprofits post nearly 30,000 volunteer opportunities online. As a result, VolunteerMatch has generated over 1 million new volunteer referrals to these organizations since 1998.

“Thanks to VolunteerMatch, a hospital near my home called me,” says Ruth Gonzalez of Glen Ellyn, Ill., “VolunteerMatch made it so much easier for me, rather then having to make calls and go driving around, all I had to do was put my name in and what I was looking for and they called me.”

Visitors to the site simply enter their ZIP code at www.VolunteerMatch.org to find local opportunities. Volunteers can also search by interest, date and keyword to generate a personally customized list. Once an opportunity of choice is found, the volunteer simply clicks on it to contact the organization and get involved.

Any nonprofit or tax-exempt organization can list volunteer opportunities on VolunteerMatch. Participating nonprofit organizations have found that the service streamlines their volunteer recruitment efforts.

“On behalf of everyone at Shane's Inspiration, thank you for providing a most needed service to those of us in the nonprofit world,” says Marci Moran, program associate for Shane’s Inspiration, a nonprofit organization that creates playgrounds for children with disabilities. “The volunteers we have used through VolunteerMatch have been the most helpful.”

The VolunteerMatch service is without cost for both volunteers and nonprofits. VolunteerMatch relies upon grants from charitable foundations for most of its funding, and also licenses its technology to companies like Dell Computer, Washington Mutual, and Cirque du Soleil to make it easier for employees to volunteer. The revenue derived from corporate licenses preserves VolunteerMatch's financial stability, and strengthens its capacity as an effective public service -- and one of the few online social services available.

Whether you can spare an hour a week, a day per week, or a week per year, you can make an important contribution. Donate to a food bank, shop for toys for needy children, serve food at the local soup kitchen, mentor a child, clean up the local park.

If you’re ready to make a difference, visit the VolunteerMatch Web site at www.volunteermatch.org and get out and do good today.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Courtesy of ARA Content