[2] In Canada, National Volunteer Week was first conceived in 1943 as a way to celebrate the contribution made by women on the home front to the war effort.
[3] National Volunteer Week in the United States was first established via Presidential Proclamation 4288,[4] signed by Richard Nixon in 1974.
"[5] A National Volunteer Week new proclamation has been issued by the American President each year since the holiday's inception.
Besides the benefits to society, scientific studies have shown that individuals who volunteer enjoy psychological and physical benefits,[14] including increased satisfaction, improved sense of belonging, lower blood pressure, increased protection from Alzheimer's, and decreased mortality.
[15] It is estimated that in Canada 13 million people, or half the adult population, volunteer some of their time.