Why Volunteer

• Experience the satisfaction knowing that you are volunteering and making a difference in your own neighborhood.  Imagine a time when you are no longer able to drive or take public transportation. The need to get to the grocery store, to the barbershop or hairdresser, bank and pharmacy does not diminish once you are no longer able to drive yourself.
• Help someone else feel better; it’s the easiest way to have your spirits lifted.
• The opportunity is flexible and not too demanding of your time.  You tell us when you are available and experience no feeling of guilt when you are not.
• Learn valuable history and about life lessons and experiences.  Seniors have many, many wonderful stories and much wisdom to share. They can also learn and benefit from your stories and activities.
• Live longer and happier lives. Statistics show that people who volunteer have healthier vital signs.
• Receive volunteer liability protection. All volunteer assignments are covered under our umbrella liability policy.
• Experience enhanced knowledge and comfort level as a result of a thorough orientation before you begin, staff support while you volunteer, and recognition and life skills training for the wonderful work you accomplish as a volunteer.

Many seniors live alone with limited contact and assistance from family and friends. Volunteers can easily fill in the gaps in services between family caregivers and professional providers.  It can mean the difference in a senior living in his or her home vs. a very expensive institutional living facility. The community is richer for hearing stories and experiencing relationships with senior neighbors.

Flexible Volunteer Opportunities include:

• Escorting/Driving a senior to a medical appointment: Includes: Using your own car to drive and accompany an older adult to a medical appointment and returning them back home. Most appointments are scheduled mid-day to avoid rush hour traffic and take 2-3 hours.
• Going shopping for someone who may not be able to get out on their own: Take along another’s shopping list as you do your own weekly shopping. It is a simple but very much appreciated way to help a neighbor who may be homebound.  Delivering and putting away their groceries while visiting with them in their home can make a real difference in how connected they feel.
• Visiting a neighbor, who may be lonely and isolated: Enjoy a visit and a special friendship with an older adult by visiting them once a week.  This relationship enriches the lives of both the volunteer and care receiver.
• Taking a friend with you as you do your own shopping and running errands: A person’s need for a trip to the barber shop, beauty salon, bank, pharmacy or dry cleaner’s does not diminish because one can no longer drive.
• Making a daily telephone call: A simple 10 minute phone call can brighten a lonely senior’s day and let them know that there is someone who will know if they are not well or in need of additional assistance.

While these services are the most frequently requested, we can use volunteers willing to help in many other ways.  Examples include but are not limited to: meal preparation; reading/writing and helping with forms and paperwork; light housekeeping; changing light bulbs and making small home repairs, helping with laundry; yard work and snow shoveling.

If you have at least two hours per week, we can find a volunteer role for you at The Senior Connection and you can experience the joy and receive the gratitude expressed from helping a senior neighbor.