Volunteerism and community healing

Figures & data

Table 1. Examples of quotations illustrating the positive affects evoked by volunteering.

Positive affect	Quotations
Happiness	“All of us had input into the design […] That part of it has really been fun.” (Volunteer, playground’s Internet page, Playground 51) “We were like, let’s have fun with it, raise money for the park.” (Volunteer, LocalDVM, May 3, 2013, Kirstin Garriss (ed.), Playground 23) “And for the small bit we can contribute, we’re happy to be able to help.” (Volunteer, Morning Bulletin, May 8, 2016, Playground 61)
Contentment	“It’s just wonderful to see the teamwork that’s happening today.” (Volunteer, CBS Local, June 27, 2015, Rachel Slavik (ed.), Playground 44) “Amazing community day with an amazing group of people.” (Volunteer, comment on the playground’s Facebook site, Playground 16) “My family had a wonderful time under the tents – a great way to spend a rainy day while raising money for a wonderful cause!” (Volunteer, comment on the playground’s Facebook site, Playground 16)
Pride	“So proud to be part of such an amazing tribute.” (Volunteer, comment on the playground’s Facebook site, Playground 26) “I am so, so proud of this town.” (Volunteer, CBS Local, May 3, 2013, Kirstin Garriss (ed.), Playground 23) “So proud of our community for making this amazing tribute come to life!” (Community member, comment on the playground’s Facebook site, Playground 44)
Love	“I really love that our community of [this town] is supporting the Playground!” (Community member, comment on the playground’s Facebook site, Playground 44)

Table 2. Examples of quotations illustrating the contributions of volunteering for the community during the playground planning and building phases.

Contributions to the community	Quotations
Making the community better in the longer term	“Community-built projects inspire everyone who participates with a sense of ownership, so much so, that these projects become a focus of community life. [… .] Families who helped build the playground will return for picnics and bring out-of-town guests to share what the community accomplished together.” (Playground’s Internet page, Playground 61) “It’s a great testament to this community.” (Volunteer, CBS Local, May 3, 2013, Kirstin Garriss (ed.), Playground 23)
Making the community stronger	“The best part in this process is not that we’re going to have this wonderful playground, it’s the people we’ve met in the progress of doing that. We’ve met neighbors, people who had no idea who [she] was … we’ve made new friends out of it. We’ve made a stronger community out of it.” (Mother of the deceased on a YouTube video, Playground 39)
Making the community more united	“United an entire community through the fundraising efforts.” (Editor of Whitsunday News, September 20, 2012, Playground 61) “It’s exciting because it brings the whole neighborhood together.” (Member of the Park Board on a YouTube video, Playground 39)

Table 3. Examples of quotations illustrating the contributions to the end result of volunteering for the community.

Contributions to the community	Quotations
Demonstrating that the community has the best people	“[Our town] is a wonderful, wonderful community with an incredible heart for the community and the people in this community are the best anywhere you’ll find in the world. … [The playground] is the perfect example of what we can do positively in our community when we put our minds to it.” (PR Coordinator, WMDT, July 15, 2015, Michelle Mackonochie (ed.), Playground 49) “Can I just say, there’s something very special about [our] community. It is absolutely in your DNA, in terms of what you do from your hearts for your whole community.” (Mayor, Bendigo Advertiser, September 16, 2018, Natalie Croxon (ed.), Playground 8)
Showing that the community supports its members	“This playground will be in our community for years to come as a reminder that even in the face of tragedy we’ve come through to support an amazing mother and family.” (Community member, comment on the playground’s Facebook site, Playground 44)
Securing the community to be safe for future children	“This is what makes [our town] an incredible community to live, work, and play in when a community can come together for a love of a child to make sure children of the future always have a safe and inviting place to play.” (Director of Township Parks, Clarkston News, May 18, 2017, Wendi Reardon (ed.), Playground 13)

Figure 1. Volunteerism in the intertwined processes of individual and community healing.