Giving Time

PARKERSBURG - Volunteerism thrives in Wood County despite the recession.

The number of people who are volunteering has increased over the past year, said Wendy Tuck, director of the Volunteer Action Center in Parkersburg.

"There's been a lot of people who have never volunteered before that are calling us and walking in off the street. Some are retired people, and some are people who've lost their jobs," Tuck said. "We have even seen more college-aged people coming in to ask about volunteer opportunities."

West Virginia ranks 15th nationwide for volunteer hours.

The monetary worth of volunteer time really adds up, said Tuck. In Wood County, around $2 million has been given to the state annually through the hours of work volunteers have donated.

The goal at the Volunteer Action Center is to match individuals with a job they will enjoy.

"If someone has experience in health care, we might send them to Red Cross or the health department. If someone likes to teach, they could be a literacy coach or a tutor at the West Virginia University learning center," said Tuck. "There are so many opportunities available."

The Volunteer Action Center connects people with Girl Scouts, 4-H programs, the Actors Guild, Habitat for Humanity and more. Volunteers can tutor in after-school programs, coach sports teams, help residents file tax returns and spend time with the elderly in nursing homes.

The economic situation in Wood County has inspired many people to donate their time. People who have lost their jobs or have recently retired often need an outlet.

"It can be depressing to stay at home. It's better to be around people. I think when people retire, they take about six months to relax and take it easy. If they've had a busy life, many will get bored and say 'Put me back to work,'" said Tuck. "Volunteering allows those people to work the hours they want and set their own schedule."

Individuals looking for employment often find out about job openings or make important contacts while volunteering.

"The networking is incredible," she said. "You never know who you will run into when you're volunteering. Many times, you'll meet someone who knows about job openings."

The Volunteer Action Center recently partnered with WorkForce West Virginia by providing volunteers to act as mentors for people searching for jobs. They offer advice on interviewing techniques, resumes, cover letters and networking.

Some companies are encouraging their employees to volunteer. Before NOVA Chemicals closed in 2008, the company paid its recently laid-off employees for every hour they spent volunteering for a nonprofit organization, up to 20 hours a week, Tuck said.

If someone is thinking about making a career change after losing a job, volunteering is a great way to find out if they enjoy something enough to invest the time and money in a new skill, said Tuck.

"If you lost your job working at a factory and you decide you might want to be a teacher, you can volunteer at a school to find out if teaching is the right move," she said. "In this economic environment, volunteering opens up so many doors for people, even in hard times."

Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital has seen more people interested in donating their time for a good cause.

"We've actually seen a slight increase in volunteers, and we are continually signing up new people every week," said Marjorie Reed, the hospital's volunteer services coordinator.

About 120 active adult volunteers are at the hospital. Reed said she signed 12 new volunteers in the past three weeks and she holds monthly orientations.

"Our helpers work in more than 40 areas of the hospital," said Reed. "They register patients, deliver flowers and medication, work at the information desk and visit with patients."

Dawn Wilson, teen volunteer program director, said Camden-Clark has the largest teen volunteer program in West Virginia, with more than 160 active teen volunteers. Wilson said she recently signed 64 new people.

"They do a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff at the hospital," she said.

Teen volunteers deliver water pitchers and dinner trays, stock refrigerators, run the lost-and-found and handle patient registration packets. In addition to working inside the hospital, they take part in off-site activities such as Relay For Life.

"Some kids have to do volunteer hours for school," said Wilson. "But 95 percent of them stay after their hours are fulfilled. I see a lot of college kids come back to the hospital during the summer."

Volunteerism can help people find meaning and connect with one another, said Tuck.

"There have been a lot of studies that show volunteering reduces heart attacks, depression and even improves the immune system," Tuck said. "Basically, I think people just feel good when they do something good for others."