National Volunteer Month: 9 Reasons Why You Need to Volunteer

Unless you live under a rock, your life has been impacted by the efforts of a volunteer.

There’s just no way around it.

Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes …from the local church youth group raising money for the homeless, to the first responders in rural communities everywhere, people are giving their time and their talents to help others.

This month, the nation takes time to honor the efforts of the amazing men, women and children, who make the world a better place through volunteering.

While a great way to celebrate National Volunteer Month is to thank every volunteer you meet, a more fulfilling way to observe this holiday is to start volunteering yourself!

Here are some of the reasons why people choose to volunteer…perhaps they’ll encourage you to volunteer too!

It reduces stress

Surprised?

You shouldn’t be.

When you’re focused on meeting the needs of others, any normal “worry routines” you’ve developed are interrupted, thus reducing your stress levels.

Volunteers report feeling more joy, optimism and control over their own situations, strengthening their immune systems and giving them a better quality of life.

It saves resources

The Corporation for National and Community Service estimates that in California, a volunteer’s time is worth $26.87 per hour!

When people volunteer their time and energy it helps their local communities save money for other needed improvements. For example, when communities aren’t paying someone to clean up the roadways, they can use that money towards other things, such as the community food pantry.

It provides experience

Think you’d like to make a career switch? Volunteer your time in the industry you think you’d like to be involved in, and see for yourself if it would be worth the effort to change careers.

Volunteering can also help you make connections that could make the transition to another career easier.

It builds self esteem and fuels personal growth

Volunteering allows you to reach people who need you the most

When you make the effort to volunteer at something that is outside of your comfort zone, you learn more about yourself.

You build skills and gain confidence in yourself and your abilities. This in turn will lead to the desire to stretch yourself even more in your own personal life as well.

It strengthens your community

Volunteers often contribute to the following kinds of community businesses and programs.:

• Daycare and eldercare
• Schools (tutoring, literacy programs, assisting educators in the classroom)
• Youth programs (after-school, mentoring, etc.)
• Community public works (cleaning up public areas such as parks or roadways)

It helps to build your network

When you volunteer, you’re exposed to people and organizations outside of your normal sphere of contacts. This helps both you and your community because the more individuals you connect with, the more opportunities you have to pull together resources to help meet the needs of your community.

While it may feel uncomfortable working with others you wouldn’t normally work with, the experience will encourage you to come up with creative solutions that you might not have thought of otherwise.

It’s a lot of fun

Working together on a worthwhile project, while rewarding, can be frustrating if you forget to have fun.

Bottom line, everyone working together is doing so because they have a passion for helping others, so remember to keep it light as you work towards the goals you each have in common.

It helps you learn a lot about…

• Existing local resources for individuals in the community who are in need.
• The inner mechanics of the government by working with local non-profit agencies
• Yourself. You may  discover hidden talents you didn’t know you had!

It’s personally satisfying

When you’ve set out to accomplish a goal, in partnership with others in your community, and you finally achieve that goal, the feeling of personal satisfaction is like nothing else.

Knowing that you’ve helped to improve the lives of others in your community, and helped to make it stronger, is a very satisfying feeling…one that you’ll want to repeat, over and over!

The post National Volunteer Month: 9 Reasons Why You Need to Volunteer appeared first on East Fork Roofing LLC.

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What Can I Do to Maintain my Roof

Keep your roof in good condition always

Your roof does a lot of things for you. It protects you from too much heat, withstands rain and snow and it keeps water from leaking into your home. These are all the things that your roof will have to endure every single day. The combination of harsh weather, changing temperatures and other elements are enough to damage your roof. When your roof gets damaged, a repair will be necessary to keep the problem from getting worse. But, a roof repair is usually tedious and costly. But don’t worry because there are certain steps you can take to keep your roof in good condition and extend its life.

Evaluate the overall condition of your roof

Knowing the basics about your roof can help you determine whether it is still in good shape. Know what your roof is made of, how old it is, if it has been repaired or replaced in the past, and so on. Take time to find out all vital information about your roof so that it’s easier to track damage and problems. It will also help you make the right decision should any damage occur.

Clear away debris

Leaves, branches and other debris collect on a roof especially during winter. Remove all these debris so you can help your roof protect you. Failing to remove all this debris may result in a draining issue. This will eventually lead to leaks and rusts. And that’s the last thing you want to happen. By keeping your gutters clean, you are also making sure that your roof drains properly. You can use your hands when you clean the debris. A soft broom or brush will also do. There’s no need for force to be applied. Make sure that you ask another person’s help especially in using a ladder. It’s also recommended to have this step done when the weather is sunny and the roof is dry.

Remove moss and mold

Your roof is one of the places where moss grows easily. It’s because it grows in wet or humid climates. At first, moss growth seems to be harmless. But what many people don’t realize is that it can cause significant damage to the integrity of your roof.  It will grow beneath your shingles and will eventually push them up. When this happens, it’s easy for the rain water to get in which will cause leaks. It will also make your roof susceptible to being blown off in the wind since the shingles are flared upward. To prevent this from happening, take time to remove moss by using a roof moss remover. Wait for the solution to take effect. Then brush away the moss with a handheld brush or soft broom.

Pay attention to your attic

Paying attention to your attic can help you extend the life of your roof and keep it in good shape. It’s easy to spot roof issues when you look at your attic walls and ceilings. Doing this will help you spot leaks while it’s early.  Look for missing shingles or check if you can see daylight passing through the attic ceiling. If you do, it could be an sign that the roof has a hole or it has thinned. Also make sure that your attic is properly insulated. It will help maintain the health of your roof.

Trim overhanging branches

Make sure that there are no overhanging tree branches over your house. Trim the branches that are hanging directly above your roof or hanging closely. Otherwise, the falling leaves will collect on the roof. The moisture will be absorbed and will cause your tiles to rot. It will make your roof structure weaker and prone to damage in the long run.

Keeping your roof in good shape is the best way to avoid unnecessary and costly repairs. Follow these roofing maintenance tips to make sure your roof is in excellent condition and to extend its longevity. In need of a roof replacement? Please visit East Fork Roofing.

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