National Volunteer Week: April 18- 24
- Apr 22, 2021
- 3 min read
By Emily Haber and Mark Skala
As we celebrate our second National Volunteer Week since the start of the pandemic, we want to reflect upon the amazing efforts of all of the Massachusetts residents who have stepped up to support their neighbors during these long and difficult months. As leaders in our Commonwealth engaged in supporting our communities through service and volunteerism, we want to say thank you to all of the volunteers and Corps members serving tirelessly every day to make life a little better or easier for others.
So many people in the Commonwealth have been devastated or disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to those who lost loved ones or whose lives have been upended.
The pandemic has revealed so many needs, issues, concerns, deficits and bright spots. Yes, bright spots. We saw that Massachusetts residents can rally together, embrace innovation and support each other. UMass Medical School helped establish the Vaccine Corps which has over 5,700 volunteers registered to support vaccination sites across Central Massachusetts. Volunteers include medical professionals, retired health care providers, students, faculty, and staff of local colleges and universities, and community members who just want to lend a hand. Newton-based Jewish Big Brother Big Sisters’ enrollment numbers are at their highest point in years as a surprisingly large number of people have been reaching out during the pandemic to mentor.
Even though COVID shut many doctors’ offices down in the early months of the pandemic, certain critical medical procedures had to happen. Neighborhood Falmouth volunteers transported Falmouth seniors to their medical appointments, grocery shopped for them when stores felt unsafe, and have provided invaluable support in innumerable ways. One Falmouth senior wouldn’t be able to keep her beloved cat if a Neighborhood Falmouth volunteer wasn’t stopping by every day to make sure the tabby had food and water. Another senior was anxious that a technical failure would prevent her from virtually attending her brother’s online funeral. A Neighborhood Falmouth volunteer made sure her Zoom link worked properly and stayed there throughout the service to assist in case something went wrong.
Neighborhood Falmouth volunteers transported Falmouth seniors to their medical appointments, grocery shopped for them when stores felt unsafe, and have provided invaluable support in innumerable ways.
The silver lining of the COVID crisis is the number of new volunteers who stepped up to help Neighborhood Falmouth members when older volunteers made the reasonable choice to step back. These new volunteers, along with the stalwart volunteers who stayed active, kept life comfortable and connected for many Falmouth seniors.
Throughout the pandemic, the Cape and Islands United Way experienced an incredible outpouring of support from the community.
From generous donations to our Community Response Fund to simple acts of kindness that helped our neighbors get through – we banded together in tough times and feel more united than before.
In response to the crisis, the Massachusetts Service Alliance, the Cape and Islands United Way, and other regional nonprofit networks partnered to launch an online state-of-the-art statewide nonprofit platform, https://msaconnectsforgood.org, to connect nonprofits with potential volunteers, donors, and partners. the Massachusetts Service Alliance created the COVID-19 Resiliency Grant and awarded 56 organizations across the Commonwealth, including Neighborhood Falmouth, with funding to address senior isolation, youth education, food insecurity, housing mediation and mental health. The grants will engage nearly 8,000 volunteers and provide $220,000 worth of funding.
Blue skies are returning after this pandemic disaster. People of all ages will want to continue to help their neighbors as an uneven and inequitable recovery unfolds. Our organizations stand ready to ensure we truly rebuild in a way that better prepares our Commonwealth and communities for what’s next.
Emily Haber is CEO of the Massachusetts Service Alliance. Mark Skala is CEO of the Cape & Islands United Way. They are partners in MSAConnectsForGood.org, a guide to nonprofits serving Massachusetts.
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This article truly captures the heart of National Volunteer Week and reminds us how people stepping forward to help their neighbors can strengthen communities in meaningful ways, whether someone is providing transportation, delivering groceries, or offering support during tough times. It’s inspiring to see that level of care and commitment, and it also made me reflect on how we show appreciation in other areas of life—like celebrating local favorites such as Hot N Spicy, where the community gathers for great food and shared experiences that bring people together outside of volunteer efforts. Thanks to all the volunteers and organizations highlighted here for making a lasting difference!
This piece beautifully highlights the power of volunteers stepping up to support their neighbors with compassion and perseverance, especially through challenging times when community connection matters most—reminding us that every act of service helps strengthen the bonds that keep us close and resilient. It also made me think about how thoughtful choices in everyday life, even in our homes, can create lasting impact—like choosing the best flooring for modern homes to create warm, welcoming spaces where family and friends can gather comfortably after giving back or spending the day helping others.
It’s truly uplifting to read about the incredible volunteers recognized during National Volunteer Week and to see how much their efforts strengthen communities through support, kindness, and resilience—especially when neighbors step up to help one another in meaningful ways. Moments like these remind us of the value of caring for those around us and how much difference one person’s time can make in someone’s life, whether it’s helping someone access essential services or simply showing up with a smile. It also made me think about safety and preparation in other hands‑on environments, like how Leather Welding Sleeves protect workers while they focus on their craft, reinforcing that whether we’re volunteering or working, the right support makes all the difference.
It’s also interesting to think about how the same spirit of service shows up in other areas of life and work. Just as volunteers show up for their community with care and dedication, tools like welding hoodies protect and support workers in demanding environments, keeping them safe while they focus on the task at hand. Instances like these really show how thoughtful design and effort—whether in community work or personal protective gear—make a difference in people’s lives. Thank you to all the volunteers and organizations that continue to make communities stronger and more connected each day!