National Volunteer Week begins today and runs through April 18, honoring the more than 62.8 million people who volunteer in the United States. The city of Scottsdale too will be honoring its nearly 4,000 volunteers.
In 2014, city volunteers contributed more than 200,000 work hours to the city – a value of almost $5 million. Not factored in are the more than 150 residents who serve on dozens of city boards, commissions, task forces and committees.
The benefits of integrating volunteers are multi-pronged and mutually beneficial.
According to the city’s Volunteer Coordinator Cindi Eberhardt, volunteers augment the many services provided to citizens and visitors at no added cost. She says “In return, we offer volunteers the opportunity to learn new skills, network and build self-esteem.”
The city’s Volunteer Program provides opportunities for people to work in diverse sectors of local government. For example, they can shelf books at the library, repair homes, teach CPR classes, distribute supplies at Vista del Camino’s Food Bank or clean trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The possibilities are endless.
As part of the commemoration Mayor W. J. “Jim Lane” is proclaiming “National Volunteer Week in Scottsdale” to honor city volunteers. They will be recognized at a ceremony next week at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library.