Volunteer Recognition Day 2023: Volunteer Appreciation Day is celebrated annually on April 20. As the name implies, it is a day to honour, recognise, and celebrate the altruistic individuals who dedicate their time and energy to helping others and promoting good causes. What is so inspiring is that volunteers do all of this without expecting compensation or recognition for their efforts. There are volunteers in all sectors, including soup kitchens, hospitals, retirement homes, and conflict zones. Their altruistic sacrifice merits praise from the rest of the world.
HISTORY OF VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION DAY
Volunteer Recognition Day is a day to recognise, honour, and celebrate those who donate their time, energy, and resources to assist others without expecting anything in return. The Cambridge Dictionary defines a volunteer as “a person who does something, especially helping others, voluntarily and without being forced or paid to do so.” Volunteering may be as old as humanity itself, or near to it. People have been offering assistance and aid to those in need for aeons.
However, the word ‘volunteering’ first appeared in the 1630s but did not enter common usage until 1755. The term was then given a military interpretation, referring to individuals who volunteered to enter the army. Indeed, organised volunteering can be traced directly back to wartime. Women would volunteer to care for wounded servicemen on the battlefield, while others worked tirelessly on their uniforms.
The Red Cross, one of the most prominent volunteer organisations of all time, was also founded in response to combat. Henry Dunant was compelled to address the issue after observing wounded combatants left without adequate medical care during the Battle of Solferino. He documented his beliefs in a book titled “A Souvenir of Solferino,” in which he argued that all armies, regardless of which side they were fighting for, should be required to care for wounded soldiers.
Since then, volunteering has taken various forms and transcended various industries. People volunteer to visit the elderly, some work on weekends in community kitchens, and others travel abroad to assist the destitute. Volunteering is a noble and commendable act that we should all perform.
HOW TO OBSERVE VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION DAY
Appreciate a volunteer
Do you know someone who has volunteered selflessly for a worthy cause? Take this opportunity to honour them by recognising and appreciating their hard work.
Become a volunteer
Volunteerism is the lifeblood of the majority of nonprofit organisations. So take the opportunity to volunteer for a cause near and dear to your heart.
Employ the hashtag
Celebrate by posting something thoughtful online about Volunteer Appreciation Day. Utilise the hashtag #volunteerrecognitionday on Volunteer Appreciation Day.
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5 ORGANISATIONS THAT RELY ON VOLUNTEERS
The Red Crescent
Voluntary service is one of the guiding principles of the Red Cross, which boasts over 14 million volunteers worldwide.
The United States Army’s Peace Corps
The Peace Corps offers volunteer opportunities in agriculture, community economic development, education, the environment, health, and youth development.
The Organisation for United Nations
The United Nations volunteer programme has deployed more than 9,400 volunteers worldwide, but there is still space for more.
Human Rights organisation Amnesty International
Amnesty International allows volunteers to participate in a broad variety of activities across all of its global offices.
Global Volunteers
Volunteers have the option of serving in the United States or in Vietnam, the Cook Islands, Tanzania, Saint Lucia, Portugal, Poland, Nepal, Peru, Italy, Greece, Ecuador, Cuba, and China.
WHY VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION DAY IS IMPORTANT
We get to honour dedicated volunteers
Volunteers perform their duties without recognition or praise. Volunteer Appreciation Day is a unique occasion to honour these selfless heroes and recognise their impactful work.
It encourages volunteerism
This day also presents everyone with a challenge, daring us all to abandon our comfort zones. It emphasises the importance of volunteering to our society and encourages more individuals to become volunteers.
It honours previous volunteer champions
This day honours the heroic volunteers whose selfless and valiant actions have helped to transform our globe. We are reminded of their sacrifice and urged to continue in their footsteps.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 20 | Thursday |
| 2024 | April 20 | Saturday |
| 2025 | April 20 | Sunday |
| 2026 | April 20 | Monday |
| 2027 | April 20 | Tuesday |
