“I don’t know of any public service organization that doesn’t look for volunteers these days,” Carla Gerard, spokeswoman for the Pearl River County SPCA, said.
Like the SPCA, many non-profits in Pearl River County are seeking volunteers, especially from the younger generation, Gerard said.
“We need it, the community needs it and it’s the perfect time of year,” she said.
Gerard said many local organizations are looking to expand the reach of efforts, but are unable to do so without volunteers.
In 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the volunteer rate declined by 0.4 percent to 24.9 percent of people assisting an organization at least once between September 2014 and September 2015.
“Volunteers come in all races, colors, creeds and sizes,” Gerard said. “We don’t care…as long as they’re here to do the job we need them to do.”
Labor statistics also reported that people between 16 and 19-years-old volunteered at a rate of 26.4 percent.
“I’m really energized to bring in the younger generation. They bring new ideas and new technology,” Gerard said.
Volunteering can provide a valuable opportunity for young people to gain some experience in several career fields, Gerard said.
At the SPCA, Gerard said every volunteer is valued, from those who offer to clean stalls, to those who help with event planning or social media.
In the past, she has also written letters of recommendation for college applications, she said.
“I can’t pay you, but I can give you a letter of appreciation or commendation,” Gerard said.
Volunteering isn’t just for retired members of the community, she said, it’s also a good way to groom the next generation toward a service-oriented life.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the SPCA can call the shelter at 601-798-8000.