The Power of Volunteering—and the Quiet Frustration No One Talks About

Most of us want to help.

We want to give back, pour into our communities, and be part of something bigger than ourselves. We talk about “doing good” and “getting involved,” especially when life feels heavy or divided. Volunteering has become one of those things everyone agrees is valuable—but far fewer people actually do consistently. Not because they don’t care. But because finding the right place to serve is harder than it should be.

Why Volunteering Matters More Than Ever

Volunteering is often framed as something you do for others, and while that’s true, it’s only half the story.

When you volunteer, you:

• Strengthen your sense of purpose. Serving reminds us that our time, skills, and presence matter.

• Build real community. Volunteering puts you shoulder-to-shoulder with people you might never meet otherwise.

• Grow empathy and perspective. It humanizes issues we often only hear about in headlines.

• Model values for our children. Kids learn compassion best when they see it lived out.

• Support your own well-being. Studies consistently show that volunteering reduces stress, loneliness, and burnout.

For many people, volunteering becomes a reset—a way to reconnect with what truly matters.

The Problem No One Names: It’s Hard to Find Where You Fit

Here’s the honest part we don’t say out loud enough: There is no easy, centralized way to

discover the full range of organizations that need volunteers.

Most opportunities are found through:

• Word of mouth

• Social media posts you happen to see

• A friend already involved

• A Google search that leads to outdated pages

This creates a quiet barrier.

People don’t know:

• Which organizations align with their values

• What level of commitment is expected

• Whether opportunities are family-friendly, short-term, or skills-based

• If there’s a place for their specific gifts

So they hesitate. They put it off. Or they volunteer once, have a mismatched experience, and don’t return.

When Good Intentions Meet Poor Access

Many nonprofits are often under-resourced. Keeping websites updated, managing volunteer inquiries, and clearly communicating needs can fall low on the priority list when the work itself is urgent and human-centered.

The result?

• Willing volunteers don’t know where to go

• Organizations miss out on support

• Communities lose momentum

It’s not a lack of generosity—it’s a lack of connection.

What We Actually Need

What people are craving is not just a volunteer opportunity, but the right one.

We need:

• Clear pathways to learn about different causes

• Opportunities that respect people’s time and season of life

• Honest descriptions of what volunteering really looks like

• Spaces where organizations and volunteers can meet intentionally

Volunteering should feel invitational, not intimidating.

Time to Play is A Call to Reimagine How We Connect

Imagine an opportunity where:

• You could easily explore causes that align with your heart

• Organizations could clearly share their needs and impact

• Volunteering felt relational, not transactional

When access improves, participation grows. And when participation grows, communities change.

If you’ve ever wanted to volunteer but didn’t know

where to start—or felt like there had to be more out there than what you could find—you’re not alone. That's why I created Time to Play, we invite nonprofits and business partners to join us to meet you!

Your desire to serve is valid. Your time is valuable. And the right opportunity is out there—Time to Play makes it easier to find.