Volunteer work's impact on happiness: Firefighter Kai, with a abundant 35 years of service, embodies the joy derived from such work.
In the heart of Rhineland-Palatinate, the spirit of volunteering is alive and well. Two individuals, Eric Schmahl and Kai Kruschel, embody this ethos, each contributing to their communities in unique ways.
Eric Schmahl, the Volunteer Coordinator of Verbandsgemeinde Nieder-Olm, faces a myriad of challenges. Recruiting and retaining volunteers, coordinating diverse activities effectively, and addressing the increasing administrative and organizational demands are just a few. Yet, Eric's dedication to the cause is unwavering, having been immersed in the volunteer spirit for ten years, engaging in a sports club and the local carnival.
Not far from Nieder-Olm, Kai Kruschel, the leader of the volunteer fire department in Fehl-Ritzhausen, shares a similar passion. Kai's fascination with the fire department began at the tender age of ten, leading him to join the active service at eighteen and volunteer for the next 35 years. Today, he estimates spending about 20 hours per month on his duties, for which he receives an allowance of 80 euros.
Dr. Julia Schlicht, of the German Foundation for Engagement and Volunteering, confirms that people personally benefit from volunteering. Improved self-efficacy, increased self-esteem, meaning, and higher well-being are just some of the main effects. Against loneliness, volunteering is also a good method, giving people access to new networks, according to Dr. Schlicht.
Kai Kruschel's team, comprising approximately 15-20 members, has about 15 deployments per year. Kai organizes exercises and serves as the incident commander in case of an alarm. Meanwhile, Eric secures special parking permits for the Astronomical Working Group Mainz, among his many responsibilities.
Eric's role as Volunteer Coordinator comes with a monthly allowance of 700 euros. He has been networking clubs, initiatives, and administration to support volunteers since 2024, working "easily ten hours a week."
Rhineland-Palatinate's volunteers contribute to various sectors, including sports, culture, church, health and rescue, self-help, nature and environment, animal protection, social services, children and youth, democracy education, and refugees and asylum. The fire department volunteer work, in particular, is attractive for young people, as evidenced by Kai's long-standing commitment.
The region honours its 1.5 million volunteers with a Statewide Volunteer Day in Alzey on August 31. Kai Kruschel, however, has not applied for the Rhineland-Palatinate Volunteer Card, believing the offers would primarily benefit city dwellers.
The volunteer spirit, as demonstrated by Eric Schmahl and Kai Kruschel, is a testament to the power of community service in Rhineland-Palatinate. Their stories serve as a reminder of the personal and communal benefits that volunteering brings.
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