All this summer fun needs volunteers

The Dodge County Free Fair started this week, and it is obvious we are now well into the summer season. This is also the week for Good Neighbor Days in Byron.
Next weekend the action moves to West Concord for that community’s annual Survival Days celebration. The last weekend of July will see Hogfest in Claremont. Come August there is the Dodge County Stroll Relay for Life on August 4 and Kasson’s Festival in the Park is close behind. Wrapping up summer events will be Marigold Days in September.
That is a long list of fun summer activities that can be enjoyed by all county residents, and they bring in visitors from the surrounding area.
Besides being fun they all have something else in common. Each and every one of these events requires a group of dedicated volunteers to make them happen.
Think about the fair. It takes a lot of people to put together a weeklong event like the fair. Of course, there is the Fair Board, definitely a group of dedicated volunteers. But then add on all the others who are involved. The grounds and buildings had to be ready well before the fair opened and volunteers were on the grounds Monday accepting the entries in the various classes. Many of those stands this week are being manned by volunteers.
The same can be said for all our other favorite summer events and the events that take place the rest of year.
There is one other thing these groups have in common. Ask anyone involved in planning an event and they will tell you that finding volunteers has become a real challenge.
A recent U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps survey showed that about 24% of Americans volunteered with groups and organizations between 2019 and 2021, down from nearly 30% between 2003 and 2005.
That the numbers of people willing to volunteer during the years of the pandemic is, of course, not surprising.
At the beginning many, if not most, businesses and activities were shut down. County fairs were among the events cancelled as were other community festivals, church suppers, and sports events.
Even after the strictest of the restrictions were lifted events proceeded cautiously and many people were still avoiding large crowds and reluctant to get involved.
But now things are getting back to normal and most activities have resumed. The pandemic is also not the entire reason for fewer volunteers. This is a trend that has been accelerating for years.
Whatever the reasons for the drop in volunteering, now is the time to rethink those reasons.
With the pandemic for the most part behind us, people are looking for and in fact need these community events. Volunteering itself also has a positive effect on the volunteer.
According to the Mayo Health System, it improves your physical and mental health. This is especially true for those over 60, according to a report published at mayoclinichealthsystem.org:
“Research has found that volunteering among adults, age 60 and over, provided benefits to physical and mental health, and volunteers report better physical health than do non-volunteers. Research also has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older.”
Working for a good cause relieves stress and releases dopamine, the chemical that induces calm, relaxed feelings. Volunteering gives people of all ages a chance to learn new skills and make new friends, or to learn more about a potential new career.
So think about volunteering. It doesn’t have to be for a big event like a county fair; maybe something at your church, your children’s school, or a club that you have joined.
It’s good for you, good for the organization, and good for the community.