Time Well Spent: Seniors Give Back Through Volunteering

Life after retirement can be exhilarating and terrifying all at once. You now have time to discover new passions, hobbies and volunteering, but where do you start? Many seniors in the community have decided to give back to the community through local nonprofit organizations that are seeking volunteers. Let’s meet some of the folks and organizations that are making a difference in the lives of others.

East Cooper Meals on Wheels

Teri and Jim Ingram have been volunteering with Meals on Wheels since 1997. They started out as packers and deliverers and watched it grow into the wonderful asset to the community that it is today. Upon retiring from the Coast Guard in 1995, the Ingrams knew that they wanted to continue to serve their community. They bought a motorhome and started using it to travel around and help. Meals on Wheels has provided a flexible schedule for the couple as they travel and given them the opportunity to create a symbiotic relationship with their recipients. “We love to get to know the people on our route,” said Jim. “We do the same route every week. It is their only time they get to see someone during the day. It’s fun to get to know the people and we look out for them. We help with small things like smoke alarm battery changing and transportation to doctor’s appointments. We have also put others in contact with resources that they need. We had one person come over and have Christmas dinner with us.” The Ingrams feel that they may get more out of it than their participants and emphasized that social contact is just as important as the meal they provide. If you’re looking to connect with this group, visit ecmow.org today.

Let’s Walk

Penzola Younginer loves to spend time walking and investing in the lives of those in her community. She signed up at the Senior Expo to get involved with Let’s Walk and then was officially connected. The premise for the organization is simple – they connect clients with walking companions. “We provide a rewarding, flexible volunteer opportunity for healthy people living in the area. We connect our trained, background-checked volunteers with their neighbors to meet and go for a walk together,” explained Younginer. “Walking has many known health benefits as does positive social interaction.” Younginer finds the experience rewarding because she doesn’t just get to walk, she gets to communicate. One of her companions is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to plants, and she learns every time they walk together. “If you’re able to get them out of the house when they are alone all of the time, they can filter into the community and they can pass on the feeling that they get from me to someone else. I would like everyone to know just how helpful Let’s Walk really is and tell everyone to sign up,” stated Younginer. All ages are welcome to join. To get walking today, visit letswalk.us.

Grandparents Group

If you’re looking for a way to give back and still spend time with your beloved grandchildren, this may be the group for you. Grandparents’ group programs at local elementary schools like James B. Edwards Elementary’s JBE Grands serve the school community in a unique way. These groups paint murals, shelve library books, read with students, laminate classroom materials, participate in school activities and so much more. Major impacts are felt at the school level and scheduling is a dream. Not only does this tremendous opportunity support local schools, but it also helps volunteers become fully connected to other community members. Starting a new program may be the best idea for you. For how-to guides and connections to pre-existing programs, volunteers are encouraged to contact [email protected].

Whether you choose to partner with some of the organizations above or pave your own path, volunteering in the community helps you stay connected and pays you in ways that can’t be replicated. The ripple effects of your time and effort will be seen throughout the community at large. Happy hunting as you find where you fit and make the coming years your best yet.

By Cari Lawson

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