All articles tagged with #volunteering
A field experiment across 60 Russian job postings found that applicants listing voluntary war service in Ukraine received 36.7% callbacks, versus 55% for conscripts, suggesting employers penalize war volunteers and complicate veterans’ reintegration despite state programs to aid them.
A UK environmental volunteer group, River Roding Trust, dredged 200 bags of debris from Alders Brook near London in ten days. The Environment Agency is investigating alleged unpermitted works and waste offences, potentially carrying up to two years in prison, a move the cleanup organizer says is disproportionate to his efforts and to ongoing pollution elsewhere. He notes the cleaned stretch is already showing wildlife recovery, despite years of inaction by authorities.
After 32 years in education, Kitty Janas embraces a purposeful retirement by caring for aging parents, volunteering with Kids Impact Community in Milwaukee, and traveling with her husband to seven European countries.
A study finds that helping others through volunteering or informal support can slow cognitive decline in adults over 50 by 15-20%, with 2-4 hours of weekly help being most beneficial, highlighting the importance of social engagement for brain health.
Afghans are showing solidarity by volunteering and providing aid to returning migrants at the Iran-Afghanistan border amid a surge of over 1.6 million returns since the start of the year, despite limited government support and economic hardships.
During severe flooding in Central Texas, Matthew Crowder, a paintball manager, heroically rescued a family trapped in their home despite official warnings, exemplifying community resilience and volunteer efforts amid the disaster.
Celebrities celebrated Thanksgiving 2024 in various ways, with many attending the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Stars like Ariana Madix, Idina Menzel, and Billy Porter performed, while others like Jimmy Fallon and Cynthia Erivo attended the event. Meanwhile, Martha Stewart baked pies at home, and celebrities like "Weird Al" Yankovic and Anthony Davis volunteered at Project Angel Food in Los Angeles. Simone Biles supported her husband at a football game in Detroit.
Evangelical Christians, strong supporters of Israel, are visiting as war-time volunteers, believing in Israel's role in an end-times prophecy. Organized trips include volunteering aspects connected to the war in Gaza, with around one-third to half of the expected 3,000 daily visitors in March being part of faith-based volunteer trips. These volunteers aim to boost morale and provide support to Israelis during the ongoing conflict, with some participating in initiatives such as preparing meals for soldiers and helping farmers harvest crops.
Princess Charlotte joined her mother, Kate Middleton, and brothers Prince George and Prince Louis to volunteer at a family charity, The Baby Bank, in Maidenhead, England. The 8-year-old royal wore a festive red sweater and denim skirt, while her siblings coordinated in navy and burgundy outfits. The family sorted donations and chose presents for children in need, with 1,500 gift bags to be distributed during the holidays. The outing was part of a new Christmas initiative launched by the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
Prince Louis, along with his siblings George and Charlotte, were captured in a rare video volunteering with their mother, Kate Middleton, at The Baby Bank in Maidenhead, England. The video, shared on the couple's official YouTube page, showcases the family sorting through donations and filling gift bags. In the footage, Prince Louis expresses excitement over a toy gorilla, while Princess Charlotte giggles with her mother over a Welsh-themed baby onesie. The video offers a glimpse into the lives of the younger royal family members, who are typically seen only at official events and in photographs.
In response to the recent Hamas attack in southern Israel, civilians from various backgrounds are volunteering to support the war effort. Chava Kovacs, an ultra-Orthodox mother of seven, and her husband have been hosting a Sephardi haredi family of eight who fled from Ashdod since the beginning of the war. Despite their differences, the families have formed a bond, with Chava's children enjoying showing their new friends around. The Kovacs family has received help from a local kindness kitchen and is making extra food to accommodate everyone. This experience has allowed Chava to get closer to the example of Henny Machlis, a renowned figure known for her charitable work and hospitality. Chava hopes that her children will remember this time as a positive experience amidst the war.
A Delta Air Lines gate agent at New York JFK airport begged passengers on an overbooked flight to take $1,300 in cash and volunteer for a later flight. The agent worked his way up from an initial offer of $800 and eventually found three volunteers. Unlike other airlines that often provide compensation in the form of airline scrip, Delta actually provides cash. Delta has a history of offering generous compensation to passengers when they make mistakes and sell too many tickets, taking responsibility for the cost and making it worthwhile for passengers to take a later flight.
Volunteering has been found to significantly improve cognitive function, particularly executive function and episodic memory, in older adults, according to a study involving 2,476 seniors. Those who volunteered several times a week had the highest levels of executive function. While volunteering also showed a trend towards slower cognitive decline, this finding was not statistically significant. The study highlights the potential benefits of volunteering for cognitive and brain health in late life and encourages individuals of all ages to engage in local volunteering.
New research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference suggests that volunteering is linked to better cognitive function, regardless of age, sex, education, or income. The study, which included a diverse population, found that volunteering was associated with higher scores on tests of executive function and verbal episodic memory. The positive effects of volunteering on brain health may be attributed to socializing, physical activity, and a sense of purpose. Even limited volunteering can have benefits, and online opportunities are available for those with physical or transportation limitations.
Researchers presented several findings at the annual Alzheimer's Association international research conference. Volunteering has been linked to better memory and executive function, potentially serving as a simple intervention to protect against Alzheimer's disease. A finger prick blood test, similar to checking blood sugar, could soon be available for Alzheimer's diagnosis, simplifying the process and allowing for early treatment. Chronic constipation has been found to worsen cognition, emphasizing the importance of a healthy gut for reducing dementia risk. Gene editing technology, such as CRISPR, shows promise in reducing brain plaque and altering genes associated with Alzheimer's risk.