In a seminar I attended, we were told that three out of ten people who drown in the United States are rescuers. No matter how well-meaning an individual is, some things have to be carried out by properly trained individuals. It is useful to remember, however, that even properly trained responders sometimes become victims, so no one is immune. One who renders a service or takes part in a transaction while having no legal concern or interest. While both of these definitions give us a basic understanding of a volunteer, I feel that it goes much deeper than Webster's describes.
Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes.
They include firefighters, EMTs, deputies, library workers, tutors, veterans groups, hospital helpers and many more. We are blessed to have so many men, women and children who are willing to give of themselves to help another individual who is in need. There are even those who have given gallons of their own blood, over a period of time, to help save another's life whom they don't even know. This type of selflessness is one of the many things that makes our country so great. Most never ask for a dime in return for their assistance, and spend too much along the way.