Society Volunteers ~ Service for the Benefit of Others
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” Helen Keller
April 15th through the 21st is Volunteer Appreciation Week, and here at Society for the Blind we are deeply grateful for the more than 210 volunteers who give their time and talent in service to people living with vision loss.
This past year our volunteers contributed over 14,820 hours of service! They read local newspapers and other publications that kept our 2,055 Access News subscribers informed and connected to the communities in which they live. Seniors served as mentors for our Senior IMPACT Program immersion retreats. These seniors, all of whom have low vision or blindness, provided peer support to retreat participants so they too can age actively with vision loss.
Volunteers play a critical role in our Bingo Program, in operation for more than 30 years. Bingo raises funds to support our cores services and programs. And throughout the year, corporate and community groups volunteer for special projects, such as helping to maintain our teaching center and hosting sports and recreational activities at Society.
Volunteers provide nonprofits like Society for the Blind with critical human resources. Independent Sector provides an annual report on the value of volunteer service, and in California, one hour of volunteer service is valued at $28.46/hour. But to all of us at Society for the Blind, that support is priceless!
For all you do to support Society for the Blind and the people we serve, Thank You for giving the gift of hope and possibility!