Let’s help out our chamber

The Custer Area Chamber of Commerce needs our help.
The chamber has had a bit of a rough time lately, having to deal with budget cuts, and now dealing with the loss of some longtime volunteers who have for years helped out during summer activities. As those activities near this summer, the chamber is in desperate need of volunteers. That’s where you come in. Do you have some free time to spare during these wonderful weekends? The chamber wants to hear from you.
There are two events coming up, in particular, where volunteers are needed—July 4 and Gold Discovery Days. Many more volunteers are needed for the latter than the former, but both events could really use some help.
As we now know, there will be no carnival this year at Gold Discovery Days. In its place, as was the case for several years, will be the inflatables the little ones can jump and bounce around on. All of those inflatables take volunteers to run them. They require time for setup, take down, and need someone to make sure the children are getting on and off in an orderly fashion. These volunteers need to be adults, and there needs to be around a dozen of them. If you are reading this and can pitch in, I’m sure it would be appreciated. Perhaps you belong to a church, club or organization that could lend a hand. Any time you are able to give could go a long way.
It doesn’t have to be manning the bouncy houses, either. Volunteers are needed for all sorts of aspects of these events, and if you’re interested, a quick inquiry to the chamber of commerce could tell you how you can help out. We would encourage you to do so, and we are going to do the same.
Finding volunteers for these events is not unlike finding the volunteer firefighters we have been writing about. There continues to be less and less of them because people increasingly find themselves short of time to help out. But volunteering your time is a great way to give back, and the benefits of volunteering have been proven time and time again.
According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering improves physical and mental health, provides a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills and can help you nurture new and existing relationships.
Volunteer activities keep people moving and thinking at the same time, the Mayo Clinic states. Research has found that volunteering among adults provided benefits to physical and mental health. Volunteers report better physical health than nonvolunteers. Research also has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older.
Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine. By spending time in service to others, volunteers report feeling a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received, which can have a stress-reducing effect.
So help the communnity and help yourself. Volunteer.