Hands On Twin Cities Helps People Give Back

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesotans lead the nation in volunteering, but sometimes even we need help finding new places to donate our time.

This week, the WCCO Morning Show is bringing you stories of volunteerism that will hopefully inspire you to make the most of your time and skills. For Monday, Edward Moody introduced us to Hands On Twin Cities, an organization that has been giving back for 95 years.

It is the oldest organization of its kind in the nation.

"We are very proud to be the first volunteer center in the nation," Hands On executive director Kristin Schurrer said. "The Twin Cities is number one for volunteerism for large urban areas, so it makes sense that the first volunteer center was started here."

Schurrer said that there are a number of reasons she believes explain why Minnesota excels in volunteerism, including the strength of our school systems, corporations that support altruism, and a tradition of volunteering that has been passed down through generations.

"Mentoring is a great volunteer opportunity for those who can make a longer, deeper commitment," Schurrer said. "Volunteering in schools, reading to classrooms, volunteering with animals. Whatever people's passions are, there's a volunteering opportunity for them."