Volunteering in Washington: Stats Show We’re Above Average

Who says Washington residents aren’t giving people? We have the numbers and stats that show not only that we in the Evergreen State donate and volunteer but that we do more so than the national average. Can we do more? Yes, obviously, but are we the most selfish in the country? Not by a long shot.

Below, we’ll crunch some numbers and also share with you the health benefits of volunteering.

A report from AmeriCorps, which partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau, shows that while the numbers dropped during the pandemic (as to be expected), volunteering and donating in the years after have increased quite a bit.

Washington V United States With Volunteering Averages

According to AmeriCorps, roughly 32.8% of Washingtonians volunteered at least once during a year span. Compared to the national average of 28.3% during the same time frame.

The Tampa Bay Estuary Program via Unsplash

When looking at the same time frame in previous years, it actually had risen almost 8% from 2022-2023.

That’s just volunteering your time and energy, looking at charitable donations (money and or goods), which rose 2% compared to the national average of just .4%.

Benefits of Volunteering in Washington

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that when you Volunteer, you’re helping your community, but you might not realize the benefits that you get to your own life.

Experts have shown how it can boost your mood, which in return will reduce stress and can lower the feeling of depression. Helping others makes us feel good.

On the physical side, most volunteering requires you to get out and move, which can be exercise, and you know all the benefits of exercise (lower blood pressure, help your heart, etc.).

Steve Jewett via Unsplash

It can also help you rebuild social connections. I once heard that social media has made us less social, and I don’t think truer words have been spoken. Volunteering gets you out to not only help new people but also work side by side with new people, rebuilding social skills that may have been lost during the pandemic or time on a screen, or maybe even just building new (or strengthening existing) friendships.

In a nutshell, helping others can, in turn, help yourself. How can you volunteer?

How & Where Can You Volunteer in Your Washington Community?

There is no shortage of places that can use help when it comes to volunteers. If you don’t know where to go, you can always reach out to your local Salvation Army, food bank, or church for ideas. I’ve found that the local animal shelters are always in need of extra hands. Maybe you’re not quite ready to ‘people’ or help out your furry friends.

At the end of the day, you’ll never say, “Man, I wish I didn’t help out.”