Volunteering is a word that all at Cotter have heard many times before, but at one of the most recent Connect & Serve meetings, Cotter students were asked to look at volunteering in a new light.

At the assembly, Janneke Sobeck and Sandra Burke  from Live Well Winona and Volunteer Services, respectively,  showed up and talked to the students about things ranging from the health records of the city, to volunteering opportunities around town.

 Sobeck stated that Live Well Winona’s mission is to, “engage the community in a culture of wellness that is distinctively noticeable and results in people that live longer, have better lives, and are measurably healthier.”

She then went on to talk about the healthiness of the city of Winona. According to Sobeck, Winona is a thinner town that the average U.S. city, but on the other hand, we do smoke and drink more than the average town. Sobeck stated in her presentation that, “the statistics make sense. With all of the trails and bluffs around the town, and the 5k’s and marathons, it makes sense that our town is thinner, and more active than most.”

 Next up to the podium was Sandra Burke, from Winona Volunteer Services. Burke talked to the student body about volunteering possibilities in Winona in the near future. Positions such as helping out with 5k’s, triathlons, festivals, bingo calling, dog walking, cashier, office experience, cooking/meal serving, and mentoring students are all available for student.

Burke then went on to show last year’s volunteering statistics in the Winona area. In 2012, the gender with the largest percent of volunteers were women, and the highest percentage in age was between the ages of 35 and 44.

    If students choose to volunteer, not only will they be helping the specific group, but volunteering also helps to solve community problems, strengthen communities, improve and transform lives, connect to others, raise awareness, and make a difference in their community.

There are also personal  benefits to  volunteering. Volunteering helps to the volunteer by bringing pride, satisfaction, accomplishment, self esteem,  happiness, and builds social capital for the giver.  It could be a career substitute for the older generation, build  resume experience for younger generations, and also bring personal growth and a development of new skills.

  Whether it be volunteering, monetary donations, clothing donations, or even food donations, all activities will help the local community to build stronger and come together.

    If you wish to get more information about Live Well Winona or Volunteer Services, you can find more information at either www.WinonaVS.org, or www.LiveWellWinona.org.