National Volunteering Week – May. 17, 2027

Expected National Volunteering Week Deals

National Volunteering Week, a time for recognition rather than retail, sees organizations and businesses in Ireland focusing on appreciation programs and community engagement. While specific deals are rare, expect to see companies like Bank of Ireland and Musgrave Group highlighting their corporate social responsibility efforts and employee volunteering initiatives. Many local businesses may offer small tokens of gratitude or host appreciation events for their staff who volunteer. Non-profits such as Volunteer Ireland and the Irish Red Cross will be promoting ways to support their work, often through donation drives or calls for new volunteers. We will update this page with confirmed live events and recognition programs as May approaches.

History of National Volunteering Week

The formal practice of volunteering dates back to twelfth-century England, with over 500 hospitals that operated because of volunteers. However, people have likely been helping others for many years before that. In the seventeenth century, the word ‘volunteering’ was used for the first time. The word entered daily vocabulary in the eighteenth century when people began willingly joining military service. Organized volunteering was born from war — young people, women mainly, would come together to help wounded soldiers and collect essential supplies. Officially organized volunteering began in the nineteenth century. For example, the American Red Cross emerged during the American Civil War when people came together to provide medical care under the supervision of Claire Barton.

The Second World War led to another boost in the number of volunteers. However, volunteering efforts became directed overseas; academic institutions and workplaces began sending their students and employees to volunteer.

The development of the internet again changed the nature of volunteering. The connectivity brought allowed individuals and organizations worldwide to collaborate and reach people easily. Today, crowdfunding campaigns, virtual volunteering programs, international volunteering programs, and other such opportunities have become available. Moreover, potential volunteers can now find such listings easily and become aware of the numerous ways by which they can make a difference, thus making volunteering more accessible. Many countries have even recognized specific days or weeks dedicated to raising awareness about volunteering.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Volunteering Week