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Column by Eric Jackson, University of Missouri Extension Director of Risk and Volunteer Management.
Every April, National Volunteer Month invites us to pause and appreciate something remarkable: Giving your time doesn’t just strengthen your community. It can strengthen you. Studies show that people who volunteer experience meaningful personal benefits, including improved mental and physical well-being, stronger social connections, greater satisfaction in daily life and an increased sense of purpose. In a time when many people are searching for belonging or direction, volunteering offers both.
Related story: MU Extension salutes its volunteers
When people volunteer, they form friendships, build skills, discover interests they didn’t know they had and often rediscover a sense of momentum in their lives. Helping others naturally connects us to a larger story, something many people say they’ve been missing.
Volunteering is one of the most accessible ways to support community life. Some people serve because they want to share expertise; others enjoy pitching in where they’re needed. Many volunteers tell us that service has expanded their social circles or given them a reason to stay engaged with their neighbors. And for those dealing with major life transitions such as retirement, moving to a new town or becoming an empty-nester, volunteering can provide stability and meaning.
At MU Extension, we see these benefits throughout the state.
You can see that spirit of mutual benefit clearly in University of Missouri Extension’s volunteer‑driven programs. Thousands of Missourians across the state step into roles as council members, 4‑H adult volunteers, Extension Master Gardeners, Missouri Master Naturalists and instructors at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Each volunteer helps create stronger, more connected communities. Their service ensures we can reach more people, offer more programs and respond more effectively to local needs. It also enriches the lives of the volunteers themselves.
But service does not have to be formal to be meaningful. Some of the most powerful acts of service happen right at home.
“When a neighbor checks in on someone after surgery, helps clear a driveway, brings a meal to a new family or organizes a small gathering on the block, that is volunteer work,” notes David Burton, MU Extension community development specialist and leader of the Engaged Neighbor Program.
These simple acts can strengthen relationships, reduce isolation and create informal networks of care.
Missouri Good Neighbor Week has helped bring this idea to the forefront by recognizing neighboring as a legitimate and measurable form of civic engagement. In 2025, Missourians reported more than 42,000 acts of neighboring, evidence of a powerful, grassroots form of volunteerism that builds trust, belonging and resilience. This kind of service is uniquely accessible; it requires no special training, funding or organizational structure, only a willingness to notice and respond to the needs of those who live nearby.
No matter who you are, how much time you can give or what your fitness level may be, there are volunteer opportunities that fit your life. Some people spend a few hours packing boxes at a food bank or helping with donation drives. Others take on more intensive roles like volunteer firefighting, disaster response, mentoring or supporting animal shelters. Whether you prefer one-time projects or ongoing commitments, hands-on work or remote support, there’s a meaningful way for everyone to serve.
Everyone who chooses to serve — whether formally through an organization or informally by supporting a neighbor — contributes to a healthier, more resilient Missouri.
As we celebrate this month and look ahead to National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 20–26, I encourage every Missourian to consider where service might fit into their lives. You don’t need special skills or a major time commitment to make a difference. Whether you enjoy working with youths, caring for the environment, growing food, building community or simply lending a hand where you’re needed, there is a place for you.
Volunteering offers a path to connection, purpose, and personal growth. And it strengthens the communities we share. That’s something worth celebrating, this month and every month.
Where to find volunteer opportunities
MU Extension offers many ways to get involved, but we also celebrate and support volunteerism in all its forms. To explore opportunities:
- Visit MU Extension’s volunteer program pages for Missouri 4‑H, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, county extension councils, Osher@Mizzou and other initiatives.
- Search for local needs through community organizations, schools, faith‑based groups, food banks and public parks.
- Explore online volunteer-matching platforms such as Points and Light and Idealist.