Pro RoundUp: Volunteer Appreciation Week 2023 – Easy, Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Your Team 

In the U.S. and in Canada, Volunteer Appreciation Week 2023 is just about a month away and many volunteer-involving organizations are looking ahead to plan special ways of celebrating and recognizing the priceless service their volunteer teams provide.  

As this year’s celebration nears – April 16-22, 2023 – the VolunteerPro team wanted to get in on the fun, too! So, in this month’s Pro RoundUp, we’re sharing some simple ideas and themes for Volunteer Appreciation Week 2023 to help get your creative juices flowing, as well as some easy gift ideas to serve as tangible tokens of the appreciation you and your staff feel for your volunteer team. 

The gift suggestions below are from Amazon and offer quick delivery and bulk sizes, while still allowing you the opportunity to add your personal touch and make these gifts even more meaningful. (As an Amazon associate, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases.) 

We hope these suggestions will give you some fresh inspiration as you plan your own appreciation events, and we’d love to hear what ideas you come up with, too! Drop us a line anytime at wecare@volpro.net or join our VolunteerPro Insiders Facebook group to share your plans for Volunteer Appreciation Week 2023.        

For a deep dive into volunteer appreciation, check out Mastering the Ins and Outs of Volunteer Appreciation HERE>>  

Volunteer Appreciation Week 2023 – Themed Celebrations and Gift Ideas 

“You Make a Difference” (The Starfish Story) 

You may have heard a version of this popular story: you’re walking down the beach as the tide is going out, when you see someone in the distance throwing something into the ocean. As you approach, you see that the person is picking up starfish from the sand one by one, throwing them back into the water.  

As you look up and down the shore, you see hundreds of starfish laying in the sun and ask the person, “How can you possibly hope to make a difference when there are so many?” As the person throws another starfish back into the water, they reply gently, “It made a difference to that one.” 

This story is meaningful to many in the volunteer sector because the daily tasks can sometimes feel overwhelming and emotionally draining without a reminder of the life-changing impact of the work being done.  And just like returning starfish to the water, seemingly mundane efforts can make a huge difference for the population your organization is serving.         

For Volunteer Appreciation Week 2023, You can scale this theme to fit your organization with any of the suggested gifts below, along with star-shaped cookies, balloons, signs, or even doughnuts from a local shop.  This is also a great time to share individual stories of volunteer impact and publicly recognize volunteers who have positively affected service beneficiaries.    

Here are a few gift ideas for this theme: 

Greeting Card and Silver Starfish Keychain in Gift Bag – 10 Sets 

Starfish Magnet, Note Card, and Bag – 20 Sets  

Starfish Story Notecard and Resin Starfish Bead – 24 Sets 

Silver Starfish Keychain in Gift Box – 24 Sets 

“Your Service Makes a World of Difference” (Globe theme) 

This is a great theme for any organization, but especially for those who serve a larger global population or want to reinforce our connections to one another as a global community. Globe-themed gifts can be a reminder that the work your team is doing each day goes far beyond the walls of your own building, and that volunteers really can change the world from their own hometown. 

This is also a great opportunity to share the global impact your organization has made through the cumulative service of your volunteers, along with individual stories of volunteer impact. 

Here are a few gift ideas for this theme:  

Silver Globe Keychain with Card and Gift Bag – 20 sets 

Foam Globe Stress Balls – 20 Count 

Clear Globe Candy Containers – 40 Count 

Bronze Globe Bottle Opener in Gift Box – 24 Count 

Need more fresh ideas for how to express volunteer appreciation? Download 50 Simple Volunteer Appreciation Ideas HERE 

“Thank You For Going Above and Beyond” (Airplane/Hot Air Balloon theme) 

This theme is simple but memorable, and acknowledges the “above and beyond” service that volunteers provide every day. This also offers a great opportunity to publicly recognize volunteers who have done extraordinary work on behalf of your organization.  

Here are a few gift ideas for this theme:  

Bronze Airplane Keychain in Gift Box – Individual 

Airplace Magnet/Bottle Opener with Gift Box – 18 Count 

Enamel Hot Air Balloon Lapel Pin -10 Count 

Any gift is more special with a personal note included. For some quick ideas on how to write creative, meaningful words of appreciation, check out this simple Volunteer Thank You Letter Cheat Sheet 

“Remembering The Past, Celebrating The Future” (A Journey Through Your Organization’s History)  

This theme takes a bit more work, but it can be a lot of fun and very meaningful to veteran volunteers who have been a part of your organization’s journey for many years. It can also serve as an educational tool for newer volunteers or staff who may not know about the origin and early years of your organization.  

This theme is most effective for an in-person event like a volunteer appreciation banquet or luncheon. The idea is to set up stations throughout the location that represent different years in your organization’s history, with photos of volunteers and staff at work or services being provided to the community.  

At each station, an employee (bonus points if the person is part of the executive team!) can tell a story from that time and stamp the volunteer’s “passport.” But don’t be surprised if your tables end up crowded with volunteers sharing memories, enjoying the photos, and remembering the enthusiasm and excitement they felt “back in the day!” 

This is also a great opportunity to recognize the work of the volunteer team as a whole and share the impact it has provided over the years on the community and the organization itself.  

Here are a few gift ideas for this theme:   

12-Page Blank Passport – 24 Count 

5-Pack Encouraging Self-Inking Stamps – Individual 

Compass Ornament with Blank Tag and Jute Twine – 50 Count 

Volunteer Appreciation – Don’t Forget a Simple, Heartfelt “Thank You” 

Appreciation Week themes and celebrations can be a lot of fun to plan, and once you start brainstorming ideas, it may be hard to settle on just one!  

But just remember that while parties and keepsakes are both important and worthwhile, the most effective – and the easiest – way to show appreciation is with a personal, handwritten thank-you note. 

Unlike employees, volunteers are freely giving their time to your organization because they believe in your cause and truly want to make a difference. A handwritten note from you recognizing their unique contributions will let them know that their efforts are seen and highly valued. 

Not sure what to include in a thank you note? Check out The 4-Part Power Thank You Letter for Volunteers HERE      

You can invite your coworkers to contribute their own thank-you notes, especially if they work directly with volunteers. It is also very meaningful for executives and board members to participate, since words of appreciation from those in leadership carry even more weight. And by writing just a few each day, you can make your way through your volunteer roster in time for Volunteer Appreciation Week.  

Here are a few thank-you card ideas to get you started:   

Retro Style Appreciation Cards (Three Designs) – 24 Count 

Boho Style Appreciation Cards (Six Designs) – 35 Count  

Colorful Appreciation Cards (Eight Designs) – 24 Count 

Assorted Appreciation Cards (5 Designs) – 25 Count  

Volunteer Appreciation Week 2023 – Invite Staff to Participate, Too! 

For every one of the ideas above (and all the myriad other fantastic ones we didn’t cover), remember to invite staff and leadership to participate as much as they are willing or able to. Even if it’s simply to make staff aware of when and why Volunteer Appreciation Week is happening, your gentle nudge can help to make employees more aware of the volunteer team’s important work on behalf of your organization.  

Find Fresh Ideas and Proven Strategies for Volunteer Appreciation (and More!) in the VolunteerPro Membership Community 

VolunteerPro Membership is the #1 online community where leaders of volunteers learn, connect, and take action. As a member, you will enjoy access to a large digital library of downloadable content, training, templates, and worksheets, live monthly training and workshops, and a strategic roadmap to develop your volunteer program through our propriety system, The Volunteer Strategy Success Path™. 

Here are just a few of the training resources you’ll find on volunteer appreciation and retention inside the community: 

• Building Your Integrated Volunteer Recognition & Retention Action Plan (Video) 
• Keep Volunteers Engaged: Your Recognition & Retention Action Plan (Video) 
• 360 Volunteer Appreciation (Video and Curriculum) 
• Annual Volunteer Recognition Plan Budget Worksheet (Download) 

Monthly and annual membership options are available. Click HERE to learn more and get started today!