Change the world – become a volunteer

There is no possible way to ignore the Christmas decorations and carols that are doing the rounds as we usher in the festive season.

Today we celebrate World Volunteer Day and this year, the day is synonymous with the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, who lived a life of giving.

This is the perfect time of the year to do some good in your community by giving up a bit of your time to help spread some festive cheer to the people that truly need it.

“There are so many great NGOs in South Africa but you find that people often do not know how to go about finding them and volunteer. It really doesn’t take much of your time but it goes a long way. Many of these NGOs actually need people to just give them a bit of their time and expertise, it is not always about the money,” said ER24 spokesperson, Peter Rossouw.

Rossouw said this time of the year is perfect for creating awareness around the day and the difference that volunteering can do.

Spare a thought for those that are truly in need during this season and help out where you can. You might even make a day of it by encouraging your family members to do their bit with a cause that they are passionate about.

The day is celebrated worldwide by organisations, including the Red Cross and United Nations volunteers. International Volunteering Day is also a day to celebrate the people that work tirelessly to make a difference in their communities, be it locally, nationally and globally. It is about making a difference.