In April 2020, Business Volunteers Maryland President and CEO Julie Kernan reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic upended our lives- personally and professionally.
“I am optimistic the way we are living today is not our new “normal,” and whatever our new normal is, I believe we will be gentler with ourselves and our neighbor,” she wrote. “The silver lining to the COVID storm cloud is the development of a greater commitment to caring for others through volunteering and community engagement.”
Our team has been continuously inspired by the way our business and nonprofit partners have pivoted programs and volunteer opportunities to keep constituents safe. Volunteers tremendously help nonprofits, but also, volunteering makes a huge impact on those individuals that donate their time.
One study by United Healthcare found that 78% of American adults who volunteer said that it has made them feel less stressed, which left them with lower stress levels and better mood than adults who don’t volunteer. It is undeniable that coming together around a positive cause and giving back improves mood and decreases stress. Now, more than ever, our communities are yearning for opportunities to connect with individuals and community.
Important ways to get involved this holiday season: consider donating to Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program! The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year. You can donate gifts through their Amazon wish list.
Or if you’d rather volunteer your time in person, consider signing up to help sort through all their presents in their warehouse (LINK ).
For our business partners, Business Volunteers is thrilled to announce the dates of our annual Elf Week with the Salvation Army, December 7-11, 2020. We recruit hundreds of volunteers to be part of “Elf Week” and come together to be a part of it all. It is our most fun and festive event of the year!
2019 Elf Week at Salvation Army with partners, BGE.
BVM has been running this program for 16 years, and every year looks a little bit different. We are so excited that we have been able to figure out a way to still make an impact this year on so many lives in our community, while remaining safe in the pandemic.
Your business teams are missing interaction with each other. This is a perfect way to gather them AND give back to the community.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities and how to get involved in Elf Week, contact Melissa Hersh, mhersh@businsessvolunteersmd.org.
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