Reply #66: Well, PBS is not at all fully funded by gov't.

[JerseygirlCT]

Hence the endless fundraisers.

And volunteers most certainly fulfill many of the needs at charities. There are a huge number of charities that simply could not exist without volunteers. People often look (with justification) at the amount a charity spends on "program" vs. "administration" or "fundraising costs". Those administrative costs would absolutely skyrocket were all volunteers suddenly paid workers.

There is something important to volunteering, as well - for the volunteer. There is an aspect of life that is enriched by reaching out to help others. And if people aren't feeling fulfilled by their charity work, believe me, they won't continue doing it for long.