Volunteers are an indispensable commodity to many in our society. There are volunteers available for just about any situation imaginable. There are those who work in hospitals helping with the patients, there are those who help in a disaster, and there are those volunteer firefighters and rescue squad personnel. This is not an inclusive list as there are many more groups and organizations which are to numerous to mention that are needed by many people.

There pay is normally nothing or less. They are unselfish people that gain a greater satisfaction from helping their communities than there communities are able to return. There time is valuable. Probably more valuable than the time we give to our place of employment. Volunteers could seek employment and be paid for their knowledge and services. They don't do this because they want to give and to help. We know there reward but what do we do for them?

If we make a cash donation or any other type of donation to a legitimate volunteer organization they will give us a receipt so that we may take a deduction on our taxes. If we donate something really big they will even honor us by name be it on a plaque or in print. But what do the volunteer's get? Satisfaction for a job well done.

They get their own satisfaction and maybe some respect from the community they are helping. Maybe they will occasionally get a congratulations or a thank you from someone but that isn't enough. Without volunteers many organizations could not exist and give the proper help that society really needs.

You bet they should receive a tax deduction for their time. I feel that it should go farther and if they volunteer so much of their time they should get a tax break somewhat like the child tax credit. Their time is valuable to them and to us and to the people who they help so any tax deduction and credit that could be afforded should be given to them.

Learn more about this author, Stanley Roberts.
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