VOLuNTEERING
Volunteering not only helps others, but makes you feel pretty good too. “We all win when we volunteer,” says David Runyon, executive director of Helping Services for Northeast Iowa. “I firmly believe there’s a link between good mental health and giving back – volunteers benefit by working together to help their community, have fun, develop new skills, and perhaps even learn about new career paths.” Runyon estimates that this past year, Helping Serices accrued more than 8,000 volunteer hours at their agency along, and other opportunities abound throughout the Driftless Region as well – at schools, churches, libraries,
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David Runyon, executive director, Helping Services for Northeast Iowa P.O. Box 372, Decorah www.helpingservices.org; (563) 387-1720
shelters, and nonprofits where the need for time and talent is large and the paid staff is small. “Delivering quality services at many nonprofits absolutely requires the skills and commitment of volunteers,” says Runyon. “They are the heart of most nonprofits, including Helping Services.” Founded in 1973, Helping Services for Northeast Iowa promotes the health and wellbeing of children and adults through direct-service programs in seven counties. Interested in mentoring a child or perhaps joining a steering committee for the mentoring program? Feel a calling to answer the domestic abuse crisis line? Want to staff the annual (and aptly named!) “Holiday Lights, Magical Nights” fundraiser? Then give Helping Services a call (or find out what options are available in your area). “Explore what your interests are and match them with opportunities,” urges Runyon. “We really need you and, more importantly, so does your community.”
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