Give a little, change a lot is the official theme of this year’s National Volunteer Week. From May 21 to 27 thousands of events will be held across the country to say thank you to the six million Australians who unselfishly volunteer their time.

Founded in 1997 and now Australia’s peak body for volunteering, Volunteering Australia chose this year’s theme as recognition for the millions of volunteers who make a profound impact in their communities and on society.

National Volunteer Week is the annual celebration to acknowledge their generous contributions and includes breakfasts, morning and afternoon teas, and luncheons, along with many award ceremonies.

Volunteering is a tower of strength in our communities with 5.8 million Australians or 31 per cent of the population volunteering, making an estimated annual contribution of $290 billion to our economic and social good.

Volunteers and the work they do is a part of every local community including education, health, the arts, emergency services, sport and recreation, the environment, and of course humanity services.

While volunteering is most beneficial to society through its outcomes and achievement of goals, it can also have positive outcomes to both individuals and organisations alike.

Benefits for volunteers include: