For the entire month of September, in honor of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, we’re joining together with 911day.org to encourage all our colleagues and neighbors to make a difference.

With everything going on right now in the world around us, we could all use a little ray of sunshine. And it turns out, doing good is not just good for the health of our communities: it’s good for our personal health, as well. Research shows that volunteering can help lift your spirits and may even make you healthier and improve longevity. Here are 8 ways you can help others, while bringing a little bit of joy and health to your own life.

Volunteering is powerful—not only for the benefiting organization, but for the volunteer. It helps them feel more connected to their community and your cause, and gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Your volunteers are passionate advocates for your organization, so empowering them through grassroots campaigns can be an effective way to introduce their connections to your nonprofit’s work, helping you build additional relationships throughout your community.

At a time when each of us can benefit from sharing our experiences and feeling heard, VolunteerMatch and Listeners On Call are partnering on a new program, Listen for Good.

COVID-19 has changed the way we live, from many schools and colleges going fully or partially virtual to many jobs shifting to remote and a job market that’s in flux. Additionally, people who are retired are seeking ways to do something fulfilling and continue to grow personally, while staying safe. Whether you're looking for your first job, recently retired, or somewhere in between, volunteering can help you feel fulfilled wherever you are now.

It is during times of great need that we can do the greatest good, and hearing from those who were courageous, took a stand, and affected change can inspire us to do the same. Here are 10 quotes to renew your spirits and inspire you into action.

It’s been startling to read recently that the inequality gap that has existed in our country since well before the COVID-19 pandemic began is actually growing more rapidly today.

VolunteerMatch was built to help strengthen communities by providing a platform for organizations in our neighborhoods working towards justice, equality, dignity, and opportunity to recruit their neighbors to their causes.

Huge strides have been made with the Supreme Court ruling this week that protects LGBTQIA+ from being fired because of their sexual orientation and gender identification. Before this decision, almost half the states lacked this legal projection.

“One big lesson from this opinion is don’t give up. You have to believe that you can change things,” said Evan Wolfson, founder of Freedom to Marry. It’s inspiring to see how individuals can come together to fight against social justice and shape a more inclusive society. And now it is the time to build on this momentum and do even more. 

We have seen how the recent protests around the world have awakened and impassioned a much greater segment of our population to consider the long history of injustice and racism that exists in the U.S. Additionally, the challenges surfacing from COVID-19 are creating greater needs in our communities, while nonprofits are struggling with filling volunteering roles.