ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Volunteerism: Ask and They Will Come

From parents coaching their children and other youngsters on the soccer field to retirees teaching illiterates to read, the number of volunteers across Orange County has grown dramatically in recent years. It is a welcome development, but there is still room for more.

It may not have seemed that more were needed this week when a number of people wanting to help distribute food and clothing for Thanksgiving were told that most charities had all the bodies they could use. A spokesman for United Way in Irvine noted that many people “want to participate on (Thanksgiving) Day for the moment,” a noble impulse. But he also reminded those wanting to lend a hand that “there’s still a need with Christmas coming up.”

The Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County reported this month that 55% of Orange County residents volunteer, with nearly half of them helping more than one organization. That is an impressive increase from the 29% figure just five years ago. The results of the two surveys also represented a turnaround in Orange County’s profile compared to the national one. The 1989 survey had Orange County far below the national percentage of volunteers; this year’s put it slightly above.

The higher number was especially welcome because of the tough times reported by charities in just staying even in cash donations from one year to the next. The recession has led to the exodus of a number of companies from the county. Those that do remain are often not as flush as in the past and unable to dig as deeply when charities come knocking. Their workers, too, though they have managed to hang onto their jobs, do not always feel confident enough to contribute money to a church or soup kitchen or senior citizens group.

The Volunteer Center has aggressively recruited volunteers in the past few years, a wise tactic that helped account for the increase. Officials at some charities said they believed another factor was that more people were able to see for themselves that their efforts were needed as the number of homeless on the street increased.

This year’s survey also showed that 90% of county residents see volunteerism as important in solving community problems, though only 55% get involved. Most who do not volunteer said they do not have time. That is understandable. But charities are right to keep knocking on people’s doors. The economy is less than robust, and disasters like the Laguna Beach fires periodically increase the need for help.