National Volunteer Week gifts and celebration ideas

By Jessica Martin

There are over 75.7 million volunteers opens in new window in the United States. That’s more than 28% of the population. National Volunteer Week opens in new window—held annually during Global Volunteer Month—is the perfect time to honor the contributions of these generous individuals. For more than 50 years, this weeklong event—coming April 19-25—has celebrated those who give both time and talent to improve their communities. Show thanks for their kindness with these National Volunteer Week gifts, gatherings and activities.

Treat volunteers to some R&R

Volunteers put service above self to keep missions moving forward. Say “thanks for all you do” with the gift of self-care. Provide an afternoon of volunteer wellness with an array of professional services like yoga, massage or aromatherapy.

Greet guests of honor with a refreshing beverage served in a spa-themed can cooler. Offer tasty finger foods, like tea sandwiches, hummus with vegetables and fruit skewers. Dim the lights, play calming music or nature sounds and let the relaxation begin. Make the day even more memorable with a small volunteer gift bag. Include a pack of yoga cards, a bottle of essential oils and a handwritten thank-you note.

Give a volunteer gift fit for a hero

There’s no doubt about it: Volunteers are true heroes. Collectively these superhumans contribute nearly 5 million hours annually opens in new window. Show just how much their time and energy are appreciated with a National Volunteer Week gift idea that’s sure to impress.

Start their hero gift with a handy tote they can use again and again, like a perfectly themed drawstring bag with a cape. Imprint your organization’s logo and a catchy saying like, “Volunteers are the real superheroes.” Toss in other useful items, like a themed pen, snack jar and water bottle. Keep the superhero vibe going with a “hero of the week” shout-out. Highlight your community star on social media and in newsletters and emails.

Host a volunteer awards banquet

Volunteers deserve to be recognized for all they do. An awards banquet is the perfect way to put them in the limelight. Cater lunch or dinner, host a food truck or ask employees to contribute to a potluck or cookout. Use picture frames—imprinted with the year—as place cards that double as a thoughtful volunteer gift. Tuck in a photo of your volunteer in action as an added touch.

Make the event special for all by giving volunteers personalized awards. Get creative! For instance, award “Biggest Impact,” “Community Champion” and “Always Smiling.” Provide lapel pins and framed certificates for recipients.

Organize a fun outing

Volunteers work hard to keep the organizations they love running smoothly. Host a fun outing where they get to take a much-deserved break from the action. If your volunteers are movie aficionados, rent out the local theater for a showing of the latest blockbuster. Provide refreshments, candy and boxes of popcorn. Give everyone a cozy blanket as an extra show of gratitude. Include a thoughtful imprint like, “Volunteers have heart."

If movies aren’t their thing, host a night of entertaining games. Trivia is an enjoyable activity for just about anyone. Include questions about your organization, pop culture and everyday facts. Logoed T-shirts, branded charcuterie boards and fully-loaded coolers make excellent prizes. Volunteer bingo is a great all-ages option. Include a few bonus spaces like, “Thanked another volunteer,” “Helped organize an event,” and “Raised money for the cause.” Give winners branded socks, candles and gift cards.

Create a wall of gratitude

A wall of gratitude is a gift that keeps on giving. Dedicate a space in your facility where fellow volunteers, paid staff, clients and the community can write a public shout-out for a well-deserving volunteer. Your gratitude wall can be as simple as a collection of Post-it^® Notes or as involved as a gratitude tree, where notes are written on leaf-shaped paper and then hung on a tree. Either way, this small act is sure to have a big impact that can be enjoyed for years.

A week of gratitude: Endless impact

Our nation’s volunteers work hard every day to keep our millions of nonprofit and charitable organizations running smoothly. Take time to show them how much their contributions matter with these National Volunteer Week gift and celebration ideas. Hats off to volunteers!

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