---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Volunteering is so pervasive it's…"
description: "\"Volunteering is so pervasive it's invisible. We take for granted all the things that have been pioneered by concerned, active volunteers.\" — Susan J. E..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b2/susan-j-ellis-83462_active_volunteering-is-so-pervasive-it-s-invisi_593719.jpg"
---

#  Volunteering is so pervasive it's invisible. We take for…

![“Volunteering is so pervasive it's invisible. We take for granted all the things that have been pioneered by concerned, active volunteers.” quote by Susan J. Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b2/susan-j-ellis-83462_active_volunteering-is-so-pervasive-it-s-invisi_593719.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b2/susan-j-ellis-83462_active_volunteering-is-so-pervasive-it-s-invisi_593719.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b2/susan-j-ellis-83462_active_volunteering-is-so-pervasive-it-s-invisi_593719.jpg)

> “Volunteering is so pervasive it's invisible. We take for granted all the things that have been pioneered by concerned, active volunteers.”

[Susan J. Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-j-ellis/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Volunteers often work behind the scenes, making essential contributions that go unnoticed.

**In simple terms:** Volunteers are invisible but essential.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and support volunteers.

Themes

community service recognition

Mood

appreciative reflective

Type

observational inspirational

When to use this quote

- nonprofit projects
- community events
- disaster relief
- local charities

Key Concepts

social capital civic engagement

Questions to Reflect On

- How can organizations make volunteer work visible?
- What incentives keep volunteers motivated?

A Different Perspective

Volunteers may be overlooked, leading to burnout.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Active](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active/) [Active Volunteers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active-volunteers-4854725/) [Concerned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerned/) [Granted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/granted/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Helping others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-others/) [Invisible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invisible/) [Invisible Granted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invisible-granted-4854726/) [Volunteer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volunteer/) [Volunteering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volunteering/) [Volunteering Pervasive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volunteering-pervasive-4854724/) [Volunteerism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volunteerism/) [Volunteers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volunteers/)

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> [Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azgraybebly-josland/volunteers-do-not-necessarily-have-the-time-they-just-have-the-heart/)

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> [“He was back once more to the starting point: he must find money. Arms traffickers didn’t give their wares for nothing and 'volunteers' did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romain-gary/he-was-back-once-more-to-the-starting-point-he-must-find-money-arms/)

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> [Volunteers are not paid -- not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/volunteers-are-not-paid-not-because-they-are-worthless-but-because/)

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> [Volunteering is about doing good things - good things for good causes, and good things for good volunteers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanni-grey-thompson/volunteering-is-about-doing-good-things-good-things-for-good-causes/)

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> [Volunteers are love in motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azgraybebly-josland/volunteers-are-love-in-motion/)

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> [What volunteers bring is the human touch, the individual, caring approach that no government program, however well-meaning and well- executed, can deliver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/what-volunteers-bring-is-the-human-touch-the-individual-caring/)

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> [If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/if-our-hopes-of-building-a-better-and-safer-world-are-to-become-more/)

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> [Here's to all volunteers, those dedicated people who believe in all work and no pay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-orben/here-s-to-all-volunteers-those-dedicated-people-who-believe-in-all/)

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> [Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/volunteers-are-the-only-human-beings-on-the-face-of-the-earth-who/)

[Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/)

> [The past year's natural disasters have highlighted the invaluable contributions of volunteers in our communities. They have volunteered their time, energy and skills to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/the-past-year-s-natural-disasters-have-highlighted-the-invaluable/)

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> [“It is conceivable that the psychological and physical benefits of volunteering eventuate in longer life. Two recent studies found that among community-dwelling older adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-peterson/it-is-conceivable-that-the-psychological-and-physical-benefits-of/)

[Christopher Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-peterson/)

> [“Volunteering to help others is the right thing to do, and it also boosts personal happiness; a review of research by the Corporation for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/volunteering-to-help-others-is-the-right-thing-to-do-and-it-also/)

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> [“Volunteering is the scenic route to success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cinzi-lavin/volunteering-is-the-scenic-route-to-success/)

[Cinzi Lavin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cinzi-lavin/)

> [“The most powerful gift of volunteering is the knowledge that you are needed, and that we all need each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cinzi-lavin/the-most-powerful-gift-of-volunteering-is-the-knowledge-that-you-are/)

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## More by Susan J. Ellis

> [Paul Revere earned his living as a silversmith. But what do we remember him for? His volunteer work. All activism is volunteering in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-j-ellis/paul-revere-earned-his-living-as-a-silversmith-but-what-do-we/)

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> [Men have always volunteered, they just called themselves coaches, trustees, and firemen!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-j-ellis/men-have-always-volunteered-they-just-called-themselves-coaches/)

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