Final answer:
Volunteering provides prosocial behavior opportunities, creating positive social impact, building experience, and forming social networks, while fostering community engagement and altruism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The benefits of being a volunteer to help others without pay are manifold and extend beyond personal fulfillment. Volunteering allows individuals to engage in prosocial behavior, contributing positively to society and fostering altruism, as exemplified by selfless acts during crises like the 9/11 attacks. In addition to personal growth, volunteers in political campaigns gain experience in the field, build social networks, and work towards causes they believe in. Community service can also offer solidary benefits, where individuals join groups to affiliate with like-minded people and to participate in shared activities, which can be rewarding both socially and emotionally.
Moreover, volunteering helps alleviate the free rider problem, where some benefit from others' contributions without themselves contributing. It also serves to assist government by filling service gaps, supporting community projects, and providing non-profit organizations with passionate individuals united by a common cause. Such participation can save money and even contribute to less stressful lifestyles. In essence, volunteering is a critical component of civil society, offering both tangible and intangible rewards to those who partake.