by George Stranz

Created on: June 03, 2009

Volunteers selflessly give their time, energy, and effort to help those who are in need. Wouldn't it be great to reward these individuals with meaningful tokens of appreciation? Here are six gift ideas that do just that.

Give Thanks

Everyone loves to receive a pat on the back. Show your volunteers how much you appreciate them by giving thank you cards. Sure, you can spend the bucks on some Hallmarks, but hand-written, personal notes can be just as effective.

Give a Gift Card

Since your volunteers gave so much of themselves, wouldn't it be nice to give them a little reward? Gift cards make great gifts since they come in an array of varieties and denominations. You can buy gift cards for all sorts of things. iTunes and Rhapsody gift cards would be great for music lovers. These can be used to purchase music downloads. Bookworms would undoubtedly like to receive gift cards from Borders or Barnes and Noble. Restaurant gifts cards are another excellent option; after all, everyone needs to eat!

Lend a Hand

Volunteers have their own needs too. At the end of the day, they still have hassles and chores like the rest of us. Wouldn't it be nice to lessen their loads just a little? Busy parents would certainly appreciate babysitting offers. The elderly may need help cutting their lawns or shoveling their walks. Others may need their dry cleaning picked up, their cars washed, or their dogs walked.

Throw a Party

Want to make your volunteers feel appreciated? Throw them a surprise party! People love being recognized and they also like to have a good time. By throwing a party, you're providing the best of both worlds. A little planning goes a long way, so be sure to invite all the right people, get good music, and provide a variety of foods.

Take a Picture

Pictures capture moments and preserve memories. If you want to give meaningful gifts, then give framed pictures that spotlight the volunteers' hard work. You can take pictures of almost anything. The most important thing is that they are relevant to the volunteering effort. Once you obtain the photos, get them developed and place them in good frames. Quality shows.

Make a Donation

Charitable donations might just be the best gifts you can offer volunteers. By making donations, you are not only showing your gratitude, but you're also spreading the joy, wealth, and human spirit. After all, isn't that the essence of volunteering?

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