Nathanael Mooney, Campus Carrier staff writer

For the past two and a half years, I have spent my time at Berry working not only a LifeWorks job, but as a Bonner scholar doing lots of service in the community. Volunteering is what got me into Berry in the first place, and I firmly believe that it is an act every human should do. Since I started my Berry journey, I have had the opportunity to volunteer with many wonderful organizations and help to combat a huge variety of issues and from that experience, I can confidently say that you do gain things from “free labor.” Part of me has an issue with the definition of the word “volunteer” because it implies that the volunteer receives nothing in return for their efforts, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. 

While volunteering may not result in being paid money, I have found that the gratitude I see on clients and friends faces alike makes me happier than a single check ever would. I understand this may come off as sappy, but it truly is fulfilling to the soul to see the efforts of my work impacting a community in a positive way. 

My first volunteer experience during college was my time at a food pantry known as Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries. When I started working here it was 2022, and we had just started moving out of the pandemic. This was the first time in my life I truly got to see the impact of volunteering. Early into that year, a mother told me that without our organization, she had feared her kids wouldn’t have food to eat at school. This would be the first of several times I would hear stories like this. Seeing myself better the lives of others has been one of the best things for my mental health in college. 

Volunteering isn’t just good because it gives a warm fuzzy feeling, but it can have a serious impact on one’s network and career. Opportunities for growth hide in the most unexpected of places. For example, starting my sophomore year, I began working with Coosa Valley’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity. This is currently where I am focusing my volunteer efforts, and despite the organization not being related to my career, I have found an opportunity to write and gain more experience. Since starting, I have been given the chance to create press releases for the non-profit.  

I also believe that volunteering is a good step in a supportive community. Berry prides itself on building “good neighbor culture,” and volunteering is an easy way to embrace that. Volunteering fosters a legacy of service. By dedicating time and effort to helping others, we inspire those around us to do the same. This ripple effect can create a culture of giving back, ensuring that future generations and future classes understand the importance of community engagement and volunteering. As we engage in acts of service, we contribute not only to immediate needs, but also to the ongoing health of our communities.

 Volunteering is not just an act of giving; it is an investment in the future of our society. Everyone should embrace this opportunity, not only for the benefit of others, but for their own personal enrichment as well.