Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who dedicated their time and energy to the Your State Parks Day Cleanup at Fort Morris State Historic Site last weekend. Your collective efforts resulted in the removal of a significant amount of debris, thereby contributing to the park’s cleanliness and beauty for visitors.
I also want to extend our thanks to the Fort Morris Staff and Adopt Liberty Groups for their invaluable support. Volunteering is good for the soul, and what volunteers do makes a difference in the community. Keep Liberty Beautiful is fortunate to have over 4,000 volunteers engaged in our programs and community events throughout the year. I have had many people ask me, “Why and how do I get so many people to volunteer for events?” I have nothing to do with it.
The reality is, Liberty County has so many wonderful people who give up their time to make a difference. Keep Liberty Beautiful is a program that has a message at its core that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds who care about our world and our community.
These caring individuals are naturally drawn to KLB projects, where they find a sense of community and connection. The KLB staff ensures that we make events available to anyone who wants to connect, fostering a strong sense of belonging.
For some, volunteering has been a natural part of their lives. For others, it may be a new concept.
But there’s always room for someone who wants to give back to their community. People volunteer for many different reasons, often unselfish ones. But the big secret about volunteering is that it’s not just about helping others and improving the world.
It’s also about helping yourself. Volunteering can lead to personal growth and self-improvement in many ways, empowering you to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of others.
No matter who you are or what age you are, volunteering is a great way to improve your life. It can bring together people from diverse backgrounds. So, volunteering helps others, but have you considered how much it can help you? Loads of research findings promote the many benefits that volunteers gain from their experiences: It strengthens your community and your social network It improves self-esteem, confidence, and feelings of self-worth Volunteering enhances mood and makes us happier Volunteering can improve skills, educational opportunities, and job potential It reduces loneliness and a sense of isolation It improves mental and physical health It can strengthen your immune system Volunteering together creates stronger bonds between friends, family, and coworkers Volunteering reduces stress and improves well-being Some research has shown that volunteers may be at a lower risk of dementia from the age of 65. Volunteering appears to improve brain function.
Long-term volunteers tend to live longer, experience fewer diseases, and have better overall health. One report says that volunteers who volunteer over 100 hours a year are some of the healthiest people in the U.S., and it also keeps you young!
After reading this list of reasons on what volunteering can do for you, I know KLB has an event you can sign up for! Liberty County, we can continue to Keep Liberty Beautiful by joining us for a scheduled cleanup, such as the Rivers Alive Cleanup on October 25 in every city and county area in Liberty County, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
You can arrange for your family, church, business, and school to have a cleanup in your area.
Keep Liberty Beautiful will supply all equipment needed, and volunteers will receive a Rivers Alive T-shirt.
To sign up and make a difference on Make A Difference Day, check out our website, www.keeplibertybeautiful. org, or contact us at (912) 880-4888 or klcb@libertycountyga. gov.
We also have a Recycle It! Fair in Bradwell Park, No Shred Truck, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Volunteers are the heart of KLB!