By Beth Land Hecht, LCSW-C

Next week is National Volunteer Week.

What can you do in 2 hours?

• Wash the car
• Watch a movie
• Scroll through Facebook
• Clean the house
• Mow the lawn

In the time it would take to do any of these activities, did you know that you could be doing a mitzvah (an act of human kindness) by volunteering for Jewish Community Services?

For just 2 hours a month you could:

• Escort and drive an adult to an important medical appointment
• Take a child bowling
• Visit someone who is homebound and discuss books, movies, or current events
• Connect with a small group of adults with disabilities in their home to play a game or create an art project
• Tutor an adult who needs practice in Math or English to get a job

Volunteering is immensely rewarding, not only for the recipient, but also for the person who is giving just a little bit of time to benefit someone else.   In addition to connecting with others and developing the good feelings you get from giving back, studies show that volunteering can also improve your health.  Research by the Corporation for National and Community Service indicates lower mortality rates, greater functioning and less depression in later life for those who have spent their time doing things for others.

Two hours a month is all it takes to transform the life of someone in our community.  The possibilities are endless.  The rewards are immeasurable.

JCS gives you the opportunity to

• Change the life of a child as a Jewish Big Brother or Sister
• Enhance the health of an elderly adult as a Mitzvah Mobility Driver
• Brighten the day of someone with special needs as a special connections visitor

Find out how you can get involved by calling 410-466-9200 or visiting www.jcsbaltimore.org/volunteers.

Beth Land Hecht is Senior Manager of Community Engagement for JCS.

JCS provides a broad range of services that meet the diverse, multi-dimensional needs of individuals and families throughout Central Maryland.  We offer guidance and support when you are seeking solutions for emotional well-being, aging and caregiving, parenting, job seeking, employers and businesses, achieving financial stability, living with special needs, and preventing risky behaviors. To learn more, please visit our home page or call 410-466-9200.