Do something good that’s good for you too: Start volunteering

This article is reproduced with permission from NextAvenue.org.

Craig Coleman of Springfield, Vermont believes that volunteering is one way to live the Golden Rule. He certainly acts on that belief, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, Senior Solutions, Volunteers in Action (VIA) and the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which honored 76-year-old Coleman with its award. of the President earlier this year. .

Volunteering, he says, has deepened his spirituality and allowed him to express his personal faith.

Coleman exemplifies the millions of older Americans who volunteer their time in the service of others. According to the most recent survey from AmeriCorps, 30.7% of American Baby Boomers (those aged 56-74) and 36.4% of GenXers (aged 40-55) made of volunteering in 2019, contributing approximately four billion hours of service to their chosen causes.

Giving is good for your health

“Older Americans provide consistent support to community organizations, and those served feel comfortable with trusted community members,” says Atalaya Sergi, director of AmeriCorps Seniors.

At the same time, a growing body of research suggests that older adults often experience significant mental and physical health benefits from volunteering, including lower death rates, increased strength and energy, lower rates of depression weaker and fewer physical limitations.

“Volunteering adds more years to your life – and life to your years,” says Sergi.

Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that older people who volunteered were less likely to develop high blood pressure (which contributes to heart disease and stroke) than those who did not volunteer. A 2021 article in the scientific journal Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition reports that volunteering was associated with better working memory and improved cognition in 91 volunteers aged 65 to 75.

“We like the term do good, feel good – meaning service to others helps others and their communities, but also helps the volunteer,” says Cathy Aliberti, director of the Green Mountain Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) , a program of AmeriCorps Seniors. “Our volunteers are 55 or older, with an average age of 74. They have the time, the experience and the will to volunteer and help their communities. It’s a reason to get up and get ready for the day. There is a wellness benefit to engaging with others.

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Caring before and after COVID-19

Of course, volunteering has changed a bit over the past few years. Before the COVID explosion, about a quarter of Americans age 65 or older volunteered, logging twice as many hours as those age 16 or younger, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Many nonprofits have struggled during the pandemic as fundraising events have been canceled and donations have plummeted. But the Points of Light organization reports that 95% of respondents really want to be involved in their community in some way. There is strong interest in working with nonprofits that will address long-term issues arising from COVID, such as food insecurity and health care.

“The pandemic wasn’t the start of changes in volunteering, but it accelerated the changes,” says Rachel Kestner, vice president of marketing at Volunteer Match. “Some organizations had embraced virtual volunteers, particularly for board membership and skill-based projects, while others had to adapt to survive.”

Remote volunteer work increased significantly in March 2020 when the COVID lockdowns began. A Volunteer Match survey found that the number of virtual volunteer opportunities jumped 32% this month; they still increased by 12% at the end of May 2020.

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Annie Erwinski, 76, volunteered as an RSVP driver in southwestern Vermont before COVID. She currently does grocery shopping for people who can’t do it themselves, and she knits hats and makes quilts for residents of the local veterans home.

“I like to stay involved,” she says. “Retirement can be quite boring and it’s a great way to keep in touch with other people. I’ve met some really interesting and amazing people through volunteering.

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How can I help you?

The opportunities to volunteer are plentiful, says Kestner. “There are so many ways to give back and everyone has something to give. Volunteers are needed for such simple things as writing letters, visiting people and talking on the phone.

She adds that if you feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, “getting involved in causes like the environment, social justice and access to healthcare can help you feel connected to the people who make a difference. ”.

Education and the arts have been hit hard by the pandemic and rebuilding these institutions can be a way to move forward and regain some control. You can start by contacting local nonprofits or finding a position through organizations such as VolunteerMatch that match volunteer volunteers with nonprofits.

Here are some other places to look for volunteer opportunities:

Canine Companions Breed or raise Labradors and Golden Retrievers as service dogs for people with disabilities.
Habitat for Humanity Building homes for families in need. Care-A-Vanners travels by RV to rebuild disaster areas.
National Park Service Consolidates opportunities at national parks and other recreation sites across the United States
Points of Light A database of volunteer opportunities around the world.
AmeriCorps Seniors Openings in local communities, from being an adoptive grandparent to building playgrounds.
USO This non-profit organization’s 30,000 volunteers support service members and their families.
International Volunteer HQ For a fee, arranges volunteer work abroad in areas such as construction, conservation and teaching.