National Student Volunteer Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Activities Work
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every February 20
Holiday emoji:: 🤝

National Student Volunteer Day is celebrated every February 20 to highlight the invaluable contributions of young people to their communities. This day encourages students to discover the impact of giving back, fosters a spirit of civic engagement, and promotes innovative approaches to community service. Find local opportunities, join a cause, or start a new initiative.

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History
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FAQs
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Observe

Expected National Student Volunteer Day Deals

While National Student Volunteer Day isn’t typically marked by commercial deals, it’s a prime time for organizations and companies to recognize young volunteers. Many non-profits, like Points of Light and Youth Service America, partner with corporate sponsors to offer scholarships, grants, or special recognition events for student volunteers. Educational institutions might host appreciation luncheons or award ceremonies. Look for local businesses, such as Starbucks or Chipotle, to offer small tokens of appreciation or discounts to students participating in organized volunteer efforts. We will update this page with confirmed live recognition programs as February 20 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Student Volunteer Day

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #StudentVolunteerDay. Share stories of student impact or highlight volunteer programs.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #StudentVolunteerDay. Post quick facts about youth volunteering or share calls to action for local events.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #StudentVolunteerDay. Create an event for a local volunteer drive or share photos of students in action.

National Student Volunteer Day Hero

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, is widely credited with establishing the first organized volunteer fire company in Philadelphia in 1736. His commitment to civic duty and community improvement laid a foundational stone for the spirit of volunteerism in America. Franklin's initiative demonstrated the power of collective action for public good, inspiring countless future volunteer efforts across various sectors.

History of National Student Volunteer Day

Since antiquity, people have been volunteering their resources in one way or another for the good of their community and, most recently, their country and the world. The word ‘volunteer’ was used for the first time in the military. It originally referred to ‘one who offers himself for military duty in the 1600s. Actual non-military volunteering originated in 12th century Britain when it was closely tied with religion. Over 500 hospitals were run primarily by volunteers in Britain throughout the 12th and 13th centuries. Volunteerism did not take off in the United States until the 19th century, during the Great Awakening. Before that, most people volunteered for military endeavors, such as the Revolutionary War. An exception was the Philadelphia voluntary firehouse founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1736.

In 1851, the Young Men’s Christian Association opened its doors for the first time in the United States. During the American Civil War, many people — primarily women — volunteered their time to support soldiers on the frontline. One of the prominent volunteers of the Civil War was Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross in 1881. The 20th century saw a rapid growth in volunteering and volunteer organizations, many of which still exist today. Two of the popular ones include Rotary Club and Lions International.

After World War II, American volunteering efforts shifted from local and national to international. That led to the creation of organizations such as the Peace Corps in 1961, Samaritan’s Purse in 1970, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. Today, volunteerism in the United States continues to wax stronger, made possible by the internet’s explosion and the ease of accessing volunteer opportunities through mobile devices.

National Student Volunteer Day timeline

1736

The Firehouse

Benjamin Franklin establishes the Philadelphia volunteer firehouse.

19th Century

The Great Awakening

The Great Awakening inspires people to take action to support the disadvantaged.

20th Century

The Explosion of Volunteer Organizations

Organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs in America are established.

21st Century

Volunteerism Goes Overseas

People start focusing on volunteering for causes outside America.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Student Volunteer Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Student Volunteer Day by partnering with schools or non-profits to offer volunteer opportunities or mentorship programs. Consider hosting a ‘Day of Service’ where employees and student volunteers work together on a community project. Restaurants or cafes could offer special discounts to students presenting proof of volunteer hours, such as a student ID and a letter from an organization. Highlight student achievements on social media, tagging local schools and volunteer groups, to amplify their impact and inspire others.

National Student Volunteer Day FAQs

When is National Student Volunteer Day?

In 2027, National Student Volunteer Day is observed on Saturday, February 20. This weekend placement offers students more flexibility to participate in volunteer activities.

How many students volunteer in the U.S.?

The latest statistics show that approximately 25% of high school students and a substantial number of college students participate in volunteer activities each year. This collective effort translates into billions of hours of service nationwide.

What are the benefits of student volunteering?

Beyond personal growth, student volunteering strengthens communities by providing essential support to various causes, from environmental conservation to social justice. It helps young people build valuable networks and gain practical experience in diverse fields.

Is National Student Volunteer Day a federal holiday?

While not a public holiday, National Student Volunteer Day is widely recognized by educational institutions and non-profit organizations. Schools often organize special events or service projects to mark the occasion.

How to Observe National Student Volunteer Day

Volunteer at an animal shelter
Animal shelters are places where stray or unwanted animals are housed until they find new owners. Most shelters are usually understaffed, which means some animals may not get the attention they require. You can use this National Student Volunteer Day to volunteer at one of these shelters to provide companionship to these lonely animals and potentially improve their chances of being adopted. To volunteer, check with your local animal shelter or look up online for shelters searching for volunteers. Remember to volunteer with a group of friends to have the best fun experience!
Sign up to be a volunteer tutor
Do you love kids? Or do you love sharing your knowledge with people? Volunteering as a tutor can allow you to share your knowledge with kids or underserved people. You can sign up as a volunteer tutor at your local community center or one of the many online tutoring websites.
Participate in women’s empowerment projects
If you are passionate about gender equality, you can participate in women empowerment projects happening on your campus or even organize one. Empowerment projects could be anything from skills development, educating young women on health, hygiene, and reproductive health, personality development activities, or a women-only general fun activity. If none are taking place at school, you can take the initiative and start one. That could be with a group of friends or in partnership with your school or relevant organizations.

5 Interesting Facts About Volunteering

They constitute about 14% of the world’s population
According to statistics, one billion people out of the world’s population of about seven billion are volunteers.
Most volunteer work is informal
About 70% of volunteer work is done informally by people within their respective communities.
Women are the leading volunteers
Up to 57% of volunteer work globally is carried out by women.
Older adults are more likely to volunteer
People between the age of 35 years and 44 years are more likely to volunteer than young people aged 20 to 24.
Americans love volunteering
Americans contributed an average of $193 billion of their time volunteering in communities in 2016.

Why National Student Volunteer Day is Important

Volunteering improves your career prospects
As a student, you can gain valuable work experience and develop soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and project management. Volunteering allows you to learn about your passion, and preferred career path, and helps you determine your working habits before fully launching into the professional world.
Volunteering promotes good health
Volunteering offers several physical and mental health benefits. By engaging in volunteer activities that require you to move around and lift objects, you can build your strength, reduce the risk of blood pressure, and increase your lifespan. Volunteering gets you to engage with other people, helping to counteract feelings of loneliness, depression, and stress.
Volunteering helps build social skills
Volunteering allows people to work with a team, group, or in a community, which helps them come out of their shells and develop their interpersonal skills. Volunteering also allows you to build ties with the people you work with and connect with influential people in other organizations.