Bradshaw says she has definitely seen a difference since COVID-19 shut people inside and kept neighbors apart.

In the 2022 United Way of Utah County Community Assessment, more than 1,200 people were asked if they have people they can count on in their lives. Nearly nine out of 10 respondents agreed agreed, but about one out of three respondents indicated they have fewer than five.

What does that have to do with volunteerism? According to Bill Hulterstrom, the nonprofit’s CEO, it’s everything.

Bradshaw focuses on her community in little ways. On evening walks she would chat with neighbors and build personal bonds. After moving to a new neighborhood, though, things changed.

“The houses are new and beautiful, but I don’t know who lives there — but I have an incredible opportunity to find out and invest in my new neighbors,” Bradshaw said. “I believe that I am not alone in my desire to create neighborhood connections. As Barbra Streisand sang, ‘[We are] People. People who need people.’ We need that person we say hi to as we take the garbage out and pick up the mail. We need the friend next door we can ask for a cup of sugar. We need to be the friend that can lend that cup of sugar. We need to know we are not alone.”

As a volunteer director, Bradshaw offers some ideas on bringing people together again.

“Volunteering plays a role in creating a larger neighborhood and in broadening and strengthening our community,” Bradshaw said. “It provides a structured place to learn how to engage and take those skills into our own neighborhoods.”

While the goal of volunteering, according to nonprofits and community leaders, should be about giving back instead of seeking recognition, Bradshaw seeks the work individual volunteers do that helps them make an impact.

With United Way’s Welcome Baby, Bradshaw praises Loretta, a five-year volunteer who has spent over 300 hours visiting the homes of new parents to support them and build their confidence in providing care. In Digital Inclusion she sees Vanessa, a Brigham Young University student who teaches a beginning computer class.

In every program there are volunteers who spend their days, nights and weekends helping others in the community. Those interested in volunteering can find the organizations that best suits them through the Utah Nonprofits Association or by seeking out individual opportunities.

The Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism directs interested people to http://justserve.org/, AmeriCorps and other statewide and national resources.