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CITY NOTES: They did more than talk the talk …

By Mark Wicks, Community Development Director

They are the unsung heroes, the difference-makers, the instruments of change. They come in all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicities. They come from different backgrounds, bring different skill sets and do what they do for all sorts of different reasons.

Emphasis there on “do.”

“They” are volunteers. Men, women and students just like you. And they are priceless. According to Main Street, the average worth of volunteer time is $22.73 an hour, meaning if a community had to pay full price to do all the different things that volunteers provide for free, it would average out to $22.73 an hour.

Mark Wicks Charles City Community Development Director
Mark Wicks
Charles City Community Development Director

Since 1996 when Main Street Iowa began tracking volunteer hours with Charles City’s Community Revitalization program, Charles City has benefitted from more than $142,000 worth of volunteer service.

Note that is only for Community Revitalization. There are a wide variety of organizations and groups in town that also benefit from volunteer service as well. Think churches, service clubs, City Improvement Association, the Red Cross, Friends of the Library or Meals On Wheels, just to name a few.

Your Charles Theatre is another prime example, as volunteer workers make the $2/$1 nightly admission fees possible.

Don’t forget about Silver Cord hours that students can earn as well while volunteering!

Volunteers make things happen. Often what they make possible are things that communities couldn’t otherwise afford. Local government entities have limited funding pools, contrary to the belief of some, and usually more priority needs than what those limited budgets can fund. So, they have to pick and choose based on need and public pressure.

And the other things we would like to see happen? Enter volunteers and volunteer-driven organizations like Community Revitalization! These are people who do more than just talk about something they want to see happen and then sit around waiting for it to magically appear. They do more than comment, complain, suggest or chat about it online.

They stand up and actually do something about it. They don’t need to do everything or make it happen all by themselves. But they get involved.

Maybe it is in a small way, just for an hour or two. Perhaps it is getting involved in helping to plan and put on a particular event or activity. It could even be committing to serving on a committee, commission, council or board of directors. It all counts, it all matters. You can, and will, make a difference.

I see it all the time. This past year I saw a whole new crop of volunteers step forward and make a difference with our Party in the Park and Fourth of July Celebration committees.

Just this past weekend at the Keg & Bottle event I watched ideas and passion from new committee members become an enjoyable reality. Everyone’s input matters, as long as they are willing to do more than just talk the talk.

They also walked the walk.

Don’t get me wrong, talking is important. It’s the first step forward. But without some kind of action, without the willingness to do something beyond just talking about it, don’t expect much progress. If you’re not willing to help make it happen, how can you really expect anyone else to be?

Volunteering can cost you nothing more than a little time and effort. But the rewards, like the volunteers themselves, can be invaluable. There is incredible satisfaction and joy to be had by helping others or accomplishing a desired goal. Win-win for all!

Give it a try, you just might like it. It doesn’t matter where you volunteer, with whom or how much. It all makes a difference.

If you are interested in volunteering and looking for some ideas or how to get involved, give us a call at the Community Development office, 228-2335 or info@charlescitychamber.com. We’d be glad to help share some options.

And to all those who have volunteered in some way this past year, God Bless and on behalf of the community let me say, “Thank you!”

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