Volunteering is Good for Your Heart

We are Successful because of Volunteers Like You

• Heart of America Foundation volunteers have served more than 1,000,000 hours giving back to their communities
• The Heart of America has introduced more than 500,000 students to community service

When we act together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. This is the “heart” of America:

• Everyone matters.
• Everyone can contribute.
• Everyone can do something to make things better for those in need.

Join us in our continuing effort to give children everywhere in America the tools they need to read, succeed and make a difference!

What Volunteers are Saying:

"It was beautiful to see the children feel as if their needs were recognized. That isn't something that the children [in this school] get to see very often. I am so happy to be a part of this project. — Asia, Volunteer

"I had so much fun participating in this event, and am so proud that [my company] is involved in a project such as this one. I'm so glad that we were able to make such a positive influence in this area." — Janay, Volunteer

"[What I liked most about the activity was] the outcome—volunteering to create a great environment for children to learn!" — Matthew, Volunteer

"[I really liked having a] chance to give back and get involved and the fact that we were able to help in making an educational experience worthwhile for the kids." —Volunteer

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is valuable for children because it:

• Gives parents a concrete way to share their values.
• Reinforces a child's innate sense of compassion for others.
• Boosts self-esteem when children see how their actions can make a positive impact on others.
• Helps ease children's fears. They may be powerless to stop a hurricane, or buy a house for the homeless, but they can regain a sense of control by seeing how their actions can help "fix" what went wrong.
• Helps them develop and do better at school. Community service has been found to improve reading levels, develop leadership and problem-solving capabilities.

The benefit of student programs encouraging volunteerism is extended by clear evidence that youth service establishes a life-long pattern of social responsibility.

• 44 percent of adults volunteer. Two thirds of these volunteers began volunteering when they were young.
• Adults who began volunteering as youth are twice as likely to volunteer as those who did not volunteer when they were young.
• In every income and age group, those who volunteered as youth give and volunteer more than those who did not.