When is National Volunteer Week?

What is National Volunteer Week?

National Volunteer Week is a yearly week of recognition for the many, many people in the U.S. and Canada who give generously of their time and resources to a huge variety of causes. The week has a history in Canada dating back to the time of the Second World War, when women were celebrated for their part in supporting the war effort on the home front. In the United States, Nixon established National Volunteer Week in 1974. Each year, the current president issues a special proclamation in honor of volunteers. A number of awards are presented for outstanding service including the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Points of Light Tribute Awards.

The week is used to bring awareness to the contributions of volunteers and to encourage more people to donate their time to a local, national, or global cause. Take advantage of this week to nominate someone you admire for a volunteering award, share about your favorite cause on social media, and find an opportunity to volunteer yourself!