Catholic Charities Honors its Volunteers During National Volunteer Week
April 27 - May 3, 2008
A message from Dennis Walczyk, CEO and Father Joseph Sicari, Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities of Buffalo
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
- Elizabeth Andrew
Dear Catholic Charities Volunteer:
It is with our deepest gratitude that we acknowledge all that you’ve done for Catholic Charities and the people we serve. The countless hours you’ve given, the sacrifices you make, the expenses you’ve covered out of your own pocket – we thank you for all of that. Most of all, we are grateful for the difference you make in the lives of the people you touch – you may not hear it from them all the time, or not enough from us…but we salute you now, you wonderful person!
Your name is Volunteer
Your name is love, because you showed me love and compassion when I needed it most.
Your name is patience, because you took the time to listen to me when my stories were long and my heart was heavy.
Your name is kindness, because you used your healing hands to
touch my pain and guide me when I was lost.
Your name is mentor, because you taught me the lessons
that life cannot teach so soon.
Your name is VOLUNTEER, you are love, patience, kindness,
mentor and so much more….
We celebrate YOU the volunteer!
- by Nancy Jo Grin
We, at Catholic Charities, could not provide such a high quality and quantity of service without you.
With sincere gratitude,
Dennis C. Walczyk Father Joseph Sicari
Chief Executive Officer Diocesan Director
Want to get involved?
- Click here to see a list volunteer opportunities at Catholic Charities.
Facts about Volunteering
- Volunteer numbers:
About 60.8 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September 2006 and September 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported.
- Increasing volunteers:
About 44.6 percent of volunteers became involved with their main organization after being asked to volunteer, most often by someone in the organization. In other words, you can increase volunteerism by 44 percent just by asking people directly to volunteer.
- Health benefits of volunteering:
An analysis of data from the Longitudinal Study of Aging found that those individuals who volunteer have lower mortality rates than those who do not, even when controlling for physical health.
- Community benefits:
In fact, research has shown a relationship between communities with high levels of social capital—our social connectedness or social networks and the related norms of trust and reciprocity—and a community’s quality of life as measured by such indicators as higher levels of parental engagement in schools, stronger local economies, less crime, and lower incidence of illnesses.2 Communities with high levels of neighbors working with and helping each other are more healthy and vibrant places to live and work.
About National Volunteer Week
2008 National Volunteer Week (NVW) is from April 27 to May 3. This week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek ways to engage in their community. It’s about showing the nation that we meet our challenges not as isolated individuals but as members of a true community with all of us working together. NVW encourages individuals and communities to be at the center of social change discovering their power to make a difference.
The Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing it as an annual celebration of volunteering. Every President since has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. Additionally, governors, mayors and other elected officials make public statements and sign proclamations in support the Week.
