Members of the United Way in the Valley are hoping you make volunteering your new year's resolution.

They're asking residents to volunteer 20 hours a week to help make a difference.

The Volunteer 2012 initiative kicks off this week, and this year members are hoping residents can volunteer either 20 hours, 20 times, or help 20 people over 12 months.

Cynthia Pritchard, who's the executive director of the United Way in Augusta County, says with budget cuts still being felt in the Valley, there's especially a need for skilled volunteers, like accountants and book keepers.

However, Pritchard says anyone who volunteers can help make a big impact.

"For some organizations, that's an employee," she explained. "Your twenty hours a week, not only does it have a cash value for tax purposes, but it also a value beyond that for the agency. It's not just for the service you provide but the money they can take out of their budget and provide direct service to an individual that needs it right now."

For a list of opportunities to volunteer in the Valley, click the link to the United Way website at the bottom of the page.

Greater Augusta Volunteer Center

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