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Health & Fitness

Volunteering By the Numbers

At Fairfield County-based VolunteerSquare.com we are always interested to hear what types of community service folks are up to and what the benefits are. Sometimes hard data is the best proof, and it’s evident that in Connecticut and beyond, people of all stripes, ages and backgrounds are stepping up to help their local communities. Here are 8 of the most interesting stats we found:

1) In Connecticut as of 2011, 28.5% of residents volunteer, ranking us 22nd among the 50 states and Washington, DC. 

2) In 2011, Connecticut residents performed 81.7 million hours of service and $1.8 billion of service. 

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3) In a sample survey, 20% of the hiring managers polled admitted to making hiring decisions based on volunteer work.

4) Nationally, the religious sector is the most popular area of volunteering with 34% of volunteers identifying their organization as such, followed by educational with 27%. Sports and arts brings up the rear at 3.6%. 

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5) The older adult volunteer rate, young adult volunteer rate, college student volunteer rate, and teenage volunteer rate are as follows in Connecticut: 31.7%, 30.5%, 26.1%, 28.4%, and 35.7%.

6) More Americans volunteered in 2011 than any year since 2005.

7) Nearly 1 in 2 parents (46%) in their late 40s volunteered in 2011.

8) Those who engage in volunteer activities are less likely to suffer from ill health later in life and may be introduced into a positive reinforcing cycle of good health and future volunteering. 

Do you fall into any of these categories? Or do you break trends? Either way, keep up the great work. If you’re asking yourself “Where can I volunteer?” be sure to visit us at VolunteerSquare.com and sign up for our free e-alerts. We’ll keep you in the loop on volunteer projects that matter to you.

 

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