As a volunteer, you don't get paid for donating your time. However, there are benefits in it for you and me when we're unselfish in giving our time to benefit others.

The following are five major reasons why I choose to volunteer. Although I don't receive a check in the mail for my help, these reasons are more motivating than money.

1. I Love Supporting a Cause I Care About

We see and experience things everyday that scream for our help.

God has given me a passion regarding some of them. This passion continues to motivate me to take action and make a difference.

Committing my time and energy to a cause that I am passionate about is energizing.

2. I Love Learning and Demonstrating New Skills

Two things that are important to me are:

* Continuously learning to improve myself
* Mentoring others by sharing my knowledge, skills and experiences to help others improve

Volunteering has allowed me many opportunities to do both.

Every volunteer experience has required me to learn and experience new things. I have discovered more about the causes I support. I have also learned and practiced new skills as I have participated in new ways.

Donating my time has also provided me many opportunities to mentor. Being a mentor to kids and to other volunteers continues to be very rewarding.

3. I Love Making New Friends

I've made a significant number of new friends through my volunteering efforts.

Some of the kindest people that I have met were employees and volunteers of nonprofit organizations.

This is not a coincidence. These are people who are willing to dedicate some of their time or even their career to making the world a better place.

These are the kind of friends that are worth meeting and keeping.

4. I Love the Great Feeling It Brings

Have you ever taken a meal to someone who was sick or paid for stranger's cup of coffee for no reason at all? If you haven't, give it a try. If you have, then you already know the great feeling you receive when doing something unselfish for someone else.

The feeling you get is no different when volunteering your time to a cause you are passionate about.

I feel great when I have the opportunity to help someone. In fact, I have found the feeling can be addictive. As I support an important cause with my time, I want to do even more to make a difference.

5. I Love Making a Difference

I want the way I live my life to make a difference. I know that you want that for yourself as well. Volunteering has provided me a significant way to do just that.

By donating just a portion of our time, we can:

* Make a difference in a person's life
* Make the world a better place to live
* Have a long-lasting impact

You can find volunteer opportunities everywhere. Look for opportunities at schools, churches, parks, community organizations, political organizations and charities.

Get involved in something that you care about and start making a difference. You will be glad you did.