Ignite volunteerism: Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2026
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EmailRecognizing the impact of MSU Extension volunteers and the personal and community benefits of giving back.
National Volunteer Week, to occur April 19-25, 2026, is an annual celebration recognizing the importance and impact of volunteers across the United States and Canada. The goal is to honor current volunteers and inspire others to get involved. It encourages individuals to reconnect with their communities through service and discover the joy of helping others. People may choose to participate by joining a local event, returning to a previous volunteer role, or exploring new opportunities that benefit their communities.
MSU Extension volunteers: Serving communities statewide
Michigan State University Extension engages volunteers across Michigan in a wide variety of roles. Volunteers serve as committee members, advocates, project leaders, workshop presenters and more. Many serve consistently, with 4-H volunteers reporting an average of nine hours per month according to the 2024 North Central Region Volunteer Impact Study. Volunteers frequently credit their service with lifting their spirits, providing hope and helping them build meaningful connections within their communities.
Understanding the personal benefits of volunteering
The North Central Region study also explored the question, “How has volunteering with 4-H benefited you personally?” This approach builds on the work of Grant et al. (2020) and Worker et al. (2020), who identified the psychological rewards and personal growth volunteers often experience through youth development programs like 4-H.
Analysis of responses revealed five key themes:
- A sense of fulfillment gained from watching youth grow through skill development, increased confidence and discovering their sparks.
- Contributing to youth growing and developing through experiential learning, youth voice and community engagement.
- Strengthening the organization through active participation, advocacy and support for families.
- Developing personal skills, confidence and leadership—many volunteers reported applying what they learned in 4-H to other areas of life.
- Building social capital through relationships, community connections and a sense of belonging.
An invitation to reflect and engage
We hope this article inspires you to reflect on your own service—or encourages you to give volunteering a try so that you too can experience the joy and fulfillment it can bring. To become a MSU Extension volunteer or to learn more about opportunities in your community, reach out to your local MSU Extension office.
