Community News
Try Harder : Volunteer In Your Community
By
Sep 25, 2005, 20:41

(NUI) - In the words of Dale Carnegie, "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."

One compelling way to show interest in others is by volunteering. Not only does volunteering make an impact on your community, it also is a rewarding way to develop long-lasting relationships with co-workers, neighbors and sometimes even complete strangers.

To mark the 40th anniversary of its "We Try Harder" slogan, Avis Rent A Car System is encouraging its employees and customers to "try harder" in their own communities through community service. To do so, Avis - along with the Points of Light Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that supports volunteerism - is spreading the word about "trying harder" and giving back.

In a survey conducted by Avis, nearly 70 percent of respondents said they had developed long-term relationships with other volunteers or the people that they had assisted.

The survey also revealed that 60 percent of respondents have volunteered within the past five years, and that an opportunity to travel or paid time off from work were the two most popular incentives that would make people more likely to volunteer.

If you're short on time, there are still plenty of ways to get involved. The key is to find volunteer opportunities in the activities you do anyway.

Do you like to read? Maybe you can take a foster child to the library for a Saturday afternoon book fest. Love sports? Why not treat an elderly shut-in to some popcorn and buffalo wings while you watch the football game together? Volunteering is as easy as you want to make it.

If you want to volunteer but are not sure how to get started, log on to the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network at www.1-800-VOLUNTEER.org to browse hundreds of volunteer opportunities in your community.

For more information about Avis' 40th anniversary of "We Try Harder," log on to www.wetryharder.com.

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