A New Year’s Resolution That Truly Matters: Volunteering

Every January brings a familiar ritual: setting New Year’s resolutions. People promise to get healthier, be more organized, save more money, or learn something new. While these goals are worthwhile, they often focus inward. This year, The Salvation Army challenges people to pick an outward resolution, one that creates immediate and lasting good for their community…to become a volunteer.

Volunteering is one of the most powerful and often overlooked ways to start the new year with purpose. It’s a resolution that doesn’t just change the volunteer’s life, but it meaningfully contributes to it, in addition to benefiting an organization, staff, and clients receiving services.

Why Volunteer at The Salvation Army?

Our mission focuses on meeting human needs without discrimination. We feed individuals and families, assist with housing, mentor youth, support disaster survivors, care for the elderly, and so much more. All of our services and programs operate with a limited budget, small staff, and lately we’ve seen an increase in the demand for services. Volunteers are considered one of our most vital resources and are just as important as the financial and in-kind donations we receive.

Volunteering creates a living, breathing partnership with The Salvation Army. People bring energy, skills, and compassion into spaces that need them most. Whether volunteers work weekly, monthly, or on a specific project, their presence fills an important gap. Their assistance is essential for The Salvation Army’s day-to-day success.

Volunteer opportunities vary by each Salvation Army location and can be customized based on interests, availability, strengths or desired impact. This leads to the best possible outcomes for everyone. Typically, individuals tend to support behind-the-scenes work, while groups such as corporate teams, families, or community organizations lean towards one-time events. But every contribution is important and appreciated.

By channeling their energy into action, volunteers experience:

• Greater personal satisfaction
• Reduced stress and improved mental health
• Stronger social connections
• Increased optimism and motivation

Everyone is invited to experience the quiet joy in knowing their time and effort made a real difference in their community.

Giving joyfully of your time is powerful. There’s no better way to begin a new year than with an act of hope in motion. Positive change doesn’t require perfection—just participation. Learn more about volunteering with The Salvation Army today.Top of Form