ERIC JACKSON University of Missouri Extension Director of Risk and Volunteer Management. Every April, National Volunteer Month invites us to pause and appreciate something remarkable: Giving your time doesn’t just strengthen your community. It can strengthen you. Studies show that people who volunteer experience meaningful personal benefits, including improved mental and physical well-being, stronger social connections, greater satisfaction in daily life and an increased sense of purpose. In a time when many people are searching for belonging or direction, volunteering offers both. When people volunteer, they form friendships, build skills, discover interests they didn’t know they had and often rediscover a sense of momentum in their lives. Helping others naturally connects us to a larger story, something many people say they’ve been missing. Volunteering is one of the most accessible ways to support community life. Some people serve because they want to share expertise; others…