The Power of Volunteers: Driving Change at Son Care Foundation in 2026

Volunteers continue to be the quiet force driving meaningful change at the Son Care Foundation. In the past year, our volunteers made a critical impact in a year facing challenges. Volunteers have never been more vital, or more deserving of recognition.

April 2026: The Time is Now

2026 is the (IVY) International Volunteer Year, celebrating the 25th anniversary of International Volunteer Day (December 5). According to UNV.org, “The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development to recognize and promote the transformative role of volunteers. It focuses on integrating volunteering into policies, enhancing recognition, and accelerating sustainable development through community action.”   

The third week of April, Sunday, April 19th through Saturday the 25th, is the 2026 National Volunteer Week in the United States. “This week-long celebration is about placing a spotlight on inspiring figures whose invaluable seeds of kindness through volunteering are bettering the community and our world in general. This significant celebration which was established in 1974 provides the perfect opportunity to say thank you. It also challenges us to do better and look for ways to be active participants, joining hands to impact our local communities and calling for more support,” emboldens Nationaltoday.com.

The month of April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Whether you are a past or current volunteer, or considering it, there is power in volunteering and we celebrate you. 

Giving Time

Volunteering is not only an act of personal service; it builds strong and resilient communities. Volunteer impact is both immediate and sustains long-term projects and goals. The community benefits from improved and additional services and an attitude of care. Volunteers can experience personal growth, deeper empathy, and a stronger sense of purpose. 

At Thousand Hills Pet Resort, volunteers play an important role and act as a bridge between needs and solutions. Thanks to our volunteers, we can provide additional attention to the dogs who board with us and tackle projects such as painting the dog houses and building play yard structures. Weeding and landscape management are high on the list as we do not use chemicals or machinery for the dogs’ health and to minimize sources of stress for them. Throughout the year, we also welcome volunteer groups to our 40-acre ranch for projects. 

Ultimately our volunteers support THPR operations to generate greater profits that go to New Life K9s and Son Care Mentoring. Son Care Foundation, the umbrella organization for all our programs, uses a model for financial sustainability that includes self-generated profits, donations, and grants. This helps us build strong programs to provide service dogs at no cost to Veterans and First Responders living with PTSD and to offer mentoring to young men in our community.

At Son Care Foundation, our volunteer appreciation goes beyond a simple “thank you.” It also challenges us to continue building a better volunteer program.

Our Organization:

• Invests in our volunteers with training and equipment. At THPR, we offer in-person and online training for our Dog Play Yard Supervisor

• Welcomes Youth Volunteers and students requiring service learning or community service credit hours

• Creates flexible and inclusive opportunities, with in-person and hybrid options, flexible hours, and on-call or project-based choices

• Celebrates volunteer stories and achievements on social media and our blog

• Encourages a culture of service and partnerships with like minded organizations

• Values our volunteers and their feedback and ideas

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Find our volunteer opportunities on our website. 

Moving Forward Together

As we reflect on volunteerism in 2026, one thing is clear: volunteers are not just helpers; they are leaders, innovators, and essential partners in our success. Their generosity fuels hope, and their actions remind us of what is possible when people come together for a common good.

Let this be more than a moment of appreciation. Let it be a movement—one that recognizes, supports, and expands the incredible impact of our volunteers. 

With gratitude to all of our past and present volunteers,

The Thousand Hill Pet Resort and The Son Care Foundation Team

Works Cited

“The Recognition of Volunteerism with IVY 2026.” Unv.org, 19 Nov. 2025, www.unv.org/recognition-volunteerism-ivy-2026.

“National Volunteer Week.” National Today, 5 Sept. 2023, nationaltoday.com/national-volunteer-week/.