英语课程计划-International Volunteer Day

（单词翻译）

Come on everybody. Get up and do something. December the 5th is International Volunteer Day. This highly¹ important day was started by the United Nations in 1985. Its aim is twofold: first, to thank volunteers around the world for giving their time to help others; and second, to encourage other people to do voluntary work. Without volunteers, many people around the world would be worse off. In fact, the whole world would be a darker place. Volunteers help other people and help animals, the countryside, the environment and many more things that are so important to us. The UN urges governments around the world to take measures to heighten² awareness³ of the important contribution of volunteering.

There are thousands of volunteer organizations around the world. Some of them are very famous. Perhaps everyone has heard of VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas), the Peace Corps⁴, and Muslim Aid. A search on the Internet will pretty much give you a volunteer group on anything or anyone you want to help. You don’t need to join a worldwide group to be a volunteer. Most voluntary work that takes place around the globe is by individuals helping⁵ their neighbours. We have probably all gone out of our way to help someone less fortunate. The great thing about voluntary work is that it makes you feel like a better person. So please, on this International Volunteer Day, think about how you can help, and offer your services.