Volunteers are appreciated!

Amsterdam counts no less than 250,000 volunteers. Their contribution is of great importance to many people in Amsterdam and to the entire city. December 7th is National Volunteer Day. Traditionally, this is the day when people across the country who do volunteer work are extra appreciated. And well deserved, because volunteers are the cement of society. Volunteer Central Amsterdam, together with the municipality of Amsterdam and on behalf of all social organizations in the city, thanks as many volunteers as possible for their dedication.

Appreciation is important

Appreciation is one of the basic human needs. Besides food and a safe place to live, appreciation provides the feeling of belonging, being seen, and being of significance. Appreciation is a form of social reward that leads to positive emotions such as pride, joy, satisfaction, or solidarity. In the brain, the area processing rewards is activated. This gives people a pleasant feeling about themselves. As a result, they can think more clearly, become more creative, and gain different insights. Therefore, appreciation helps people function better! Appreciation gives people self-confidence and self-respect, thereby increasing volunteer happiness.

Extra attention in Corona time

In recent times, the Volunteer Center Amsterdam organized the workshop ‘Appreciation and Reward’. It emerged that some organizations invite their volunteers for a high tea, others give a gift voucher, and yet others organize an outdoor event due to corona. Almost no one lets National Volunteer Day pass by without doing something special, especially in the current times. VCA organized a card action, an online meditation in the morning on December 7, and a free Talk from The School of Life (for which you can still register until Thursday via our agenda).

Join us!

Want to thank someone? Through the sitewww.amsterdambedankt.nlEveryone can send a digital card to any volunteer they know. Also, make sure to check the Parool on December 7th and don’t skip the editions of the Westerpost, the Noord Amsterdams Nieuwsblad, Zuid!, and the Brugkrant this time!