Minnesotans, as a whole, are very altruistic, and this study confirmed it. The study said several demographic and social factors appear to contribute to higher volunteer rates:
_Short commutes to work, which provide more time to volunteer.
_Home ownership, which promotes attachment to the community.
_High education levels, which increase civic involvement.
_High concentrations of nonprofit organizations providing opportunities to volunteer.
“It’s really about Minneapolis’ commitment to the quality of life,” said Michael Weber, president and chief executive of Volunteers of America of Minnesota. “If you look at the entire society, it says we will give back to the community and take care of our society.”
Where do you volunteer?
21 Reader Comments
5:33 pm
Neighborhood Association, A Fly Fishing Club, Minnesota DFL
5:36 pm
With the kids at Zoom House Transitional Housing, Simpson Women’s Shelter, Masonic Home in Bloomington. I volunteered all the time at a group home with Lutheran Social Service, but they closed the home.
5:37 pm
I used to volunteer with the Humane Society for Companion Animals. I did foster care and brought home cats and kittens to foster. Now I have a roommate who is allergic and I can’t leave because the rent is cheap.
Still looking for a replacement volunteer gig that will make me as happy as having baby kittens everywhere.
5:45 pm
Soap Factory!
7:10 pm
So the conventional wisdom is that our infrastructure is “years behind”, yet Twin Citians enjoy “short commute times.”
Can it really be both, or are these crytpoliberal volunteer groups pushing their typical anti-road, social-engineering transit agenda?
7:13 pm
I keep meaning to volunteer at Feline Rescue, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I know, I’m lame. I do spontaneously pick up litter, return misplaced food products to their proper aisles at the grocery and put books back in order at libraries and bookstores. Compulsiveness, volunteering…is there really any difference?
7:47 pm
social-engineering transit agenda?
Why is mass transit connected to social engineering? Is taking a bus or some other form change someone as a person?
7:50 pm
I think comparing our relative short commutes to those of California or New York is like comparing the attic of Hell to its basement. Both hot; both suck.
7:52 pm
My volunteer hours have slacked off as of late. Currenty I am a volunteer board member of the Anoka County Smokefree Partnership. I have been a volunteer for my city, the American Cancer Society East Metro Unit (board chair) and the Hennepin County Adult Literacy progam.
Mrs. Lungs, sweet woman that she is, has served as a volunteer for the University of MN Wildlife Rehab Center. Her specialty is waterfowl and small animals. The same woman who cursed and chased the squirells away from her lily garden whould spend a long weekend trying to save an orphaned group of squirells at the Center, and would cry for every little life she couldn’t save.
No, it dosen’t make sense, but how much does in this world?
All I know is what many volunteers will tell you — you get back tenfold what you give.
8:39 pm
I’m doing my annual week for Habitat for Humanity this this very week, coincedently enough.
662 Central Avenue in good old St. Paul; bring sunblock.
8:54 pm
Why is mass transit connected to social engineering? Is taking a bus or some other form change someone as a person?
No, but transit advocates are clearly more focused on affecting urban redevelopment than they are improving transportation.
9:26 pm
When they say “Short commutes to work, which provide more time to volunteer,” does that mean traveling between Woodbury or Elk River to Minneapolis? I don’t get that statement in the study report.
10:44 pm
Christine,
Explain more about Zoom House. It sounds interesting.
I am starting to volunteer with MN Aids Project, they have drop-in nights one Tuesday a month.
11:37 pm
transit advocates are clearly more focused on affecting urban redevelopment than they are improving transportation.
So what does it take to “improve transportation?” Is it, “improve transporation for me?”
2:14 am
i work for a non-profit, so it’s kind of like volunteering.
and i recently discovered that the original line is “life liberty and the pursuit of public happiness” which ben franklin edited to just “happiness.” Big difference, no?
7:29 am
and i recently discovered that the original line is “life liberty and the pursuit of public happiness” which ben franklin edited to just “happiness.” Big difference, no?
Actually, the original line was “life, liberty and the pursuit of private property.” You can look it up.
8:57 am
yes, the original locke quote is “private property” which was changed to “public happiness” which was then changed to “happiness”. it’s like telephone
9:07 am
Stargirl,
Zoom House is transitional housing for women and chidlren that helps women get into apartments, gives them parenting classes and job skills classes, I think. I used to go once a week to play with the kids while the parents took parenting classes or did fun stuff for themselves.
9:50 am
i’m a volunteer hooker. i travel to various places to visit those in need.
9:56 am
mom is that you?
10:23 am
really too busy at this point, with over 55 hours a week, my weekends are for me. sorry homeless guys.
tablitha, call me.