Gov. Inslee proclaims April 16-22 Volunteer Appreciation Week

OLYMPIA--Gov. Jay Inslee has proclaimed April 16-22 Volunteer Appreciation Week in Washington.

It coincides with National Volunteer Week, which is observed as a collective opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society's greatest challenges. 

National volunteer week was established in 1974, according to Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. It falls within Global Volunteer Month, which is used to recognize and celebrate volunteers and people who support their communities. Related: Points of Light: 4 ways to recognize volunteers and keep them engaged

Serve Washington is inviting all volunteer organizations and volunteers to participate in its Global Volunteer Month social media campaign. If you have a photo or story of volunteerism or if your organization would like Serve Washington to highlight a volunteer opportunity on its social media, tag @ServeWashington on Facebook or @ServeWA on Twitter.

Organizations are also invited to post their volunteer opportunities on Serve Washington’s free Get Connected platform. The public can search for volunteer opportunities on Get Connected and filer results by location, duration, type of organization, ability and more.

The Seattle Mariners are also offering discounted tickets for the Salute to Volunteer Night game April 22. Read more about it here.

Read the full text of the governor’s proclamation:

WHEREAS volunteer service is integral in addressing local and national issues and is an effective strategy to unite communities while meeting critical needs; and

WHEREAS, government cannot do the job alone, but government — working together with nonprofits and community organizations, the private sector, and individuals — can make our state stronger, more prosperous, and ready for the future; and

WHEREAS, according to AmeriCorps’ Volunteering and Civic Life in America report, in 2021, more than 1.5 million Washingtonians demonstrated a strong and enduring commitment to service, contributing over 118 million volunteer hours through organizations worth an estimated $4.1 billion in economic value; and

WHEREAS Washington is blessed with individuals of all ages who selflessly help their neighbors and others outside of an organization through acts of kindness and goodwill; and

WHEREAS, by helping others, volunteers also help themselves by learning new skills, expanding their professional networks, connecting with neighbors and experiencing satisfaction from serving a larger cause; and

WHEREAS, when more Washingtonians step forward to serve, it renews our sense of community and strengthens our democracy; and

WHEREAS acts of service unite people from different backgrounds and allow us to truly see and hear one another; and

WHEREAS it is important to honor those who give their time, talent and resources for the betterment of their communities; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim April 16-23, 2023, as

Volunteer Appreciation Week

in Washington, and I invite all people in our state to join me in recognizing those who volunteer and serve and encourage all people to pledge to make service a part of their daily lives.

Signed this 10th day of April in 2023

Governor Jay Inslee