The Season of Giving

(CARLSBAD, CA) – It’s the holiday season. ‘Tis the season to bake goodies, decorate the Christmas tree, wrap gifts, and welcome family into your home. It’s all done in the spirit of giving. Yet, the spirit of giving doesn’t have to stop with those directly around you.

Volunteering is on the rise, with more than 25 percent of Americans offering their time and talents to local communities in some way. Homeless shelters, literacy organizations, and arts festivals are just a few examples of needs being met through the spirit of volunteering.

The great news about becoming a community volunteer is that it doesn’t just benefit the recipient of your services. It also benefits you directly! That’s right. Recent studies indicate that people who volunteer just 40 hours per year (that equates to less than one hour per week) actually live longer than those who don’t volunteer.

Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett is a big believer, and action taker, in giving back to the community. Over the years, she and her worldwide team of instructors have raised more than $26 million for a myriad of charities. She offers these tips to would-be volunteers as you seek out opportunities to join in the season of giving:

• Find Your Niche – The first step in becoming a community volunteer is to find the area in which you are most interested. Why not give in an area that you’re passionate about? If you adore children, consider mentoring as a Big Sister or Big Brother. If you love art, offer your services as a docent at a local gallery. You’ll be a more joyful giver if you’re doing something that you truly enjoy.

• Check Your Schedule – Don’t offer more than what’s practical for you. Sure, it’s tempting to dive headfirst into your new spirit of volunteerism and offer 20 hours per month at the local animal shelter. But, maybe one morning per month is more practical. So, look at what you can really afford to do, and don’t promise anything more.

• Be Professional – Although you are not paid as a volunteer, you still have people counting on your services. So, mark your calendar for your assigned duties, arrive on time, and show the same courtesy to those around you that you would in your regular job.

• Be Persistent – Your first effort may turnout to be something that doesn’t fit exactly right with your personality and talents. So, if you’re not comfortable after a few tries, it’s okay to explain your sentiments to the volunteer coordinator and give another service a try.

Jazzercise, created by Judi Sheppard Missett, is the world's leading dance-fitness program with more than 7,500 instructors teaching 32,000 classes weekly in the U.S. and around the globe. Since 1969, millions of people of all ages and fitness levels have reaped the benefits of this comprehensive program, designed to enhance cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750.

Courtesy of Jazzercise, Inc. - jazzercise.com