Even during a troubled economy, more and more people are volunteering.
Recent statistics show that laid-off workers are donating their time to non-profits rather than sitting around waiting for a job offer.
At the height of the economic crisis last year, the number of Americans volunteering in their communities jumped by 1.6 million, the biggest increase in six years.
Here locally, the Volunteer Center of the Brazos Valley, which opened in April, has seen more activity and more hours donated.
Volunteer Match referred 60 volunteers to non-profit agencies in 2009, and has already referred 45 people in 2010.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which works with retirees over the age of 55, saw 44 new volunteers last year and 75 new volunteers this year.
To find out how you can volunteer in the Brazos Valley, click the link below.
Upload your photo, with a caption of your reason to smile, then watch the last half hour of BVTM from 6:30A - 7A Monday mornings to see if your photo makes it.
