Ways to Volunteer
Lend a hand to better yourself and your community
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Volunteering isn’t just about helping out others — although that’s enough reason to volunteer. It can also help you during retirement. Don’t just sit at home watching TV. That’s about the worst thing you could do for your health.
“You need to think about staying active in your community,” said physician Sharon Brangman, faculty member at SUNY Upstate Medical University and a distinguished service professor, chair of geriatric medicine and director of the Upstate Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease. “It’s one of those things that keep you and your brain active.”
She added that beyond emotional health, volunteering can involve a physical and social aspect, both of which are good for physical and mental health. Unfortunately, many people reduce these elements once they retire, even though “these are things we should do throughout our lifetime,” Brangman said. “Social isolation is not good as we learned during the pandemic.”
To find where you can volunteer, consider your interests.
If you enjoy spending time with your grandchildren, look no further than your own family. Think about setting up a regular babysitting schedule so your adult children can reduce their reliance on daycare. Or if that’s asking too much, perhaps a few days per month to give your parenting kids a break would allow them more time as a couple. Could you take over transporting the kids to some of their extracurricular activities or appointments? Maybe your teenaged grandchildren could use a seasoned driver to ride along as they learn. You could also ask at your grandchildren’s school about any volunteering opportunities.
What opportunities exist in your own neighborhood? Perhaps an elderly neighbor could use a hand with home upkeep, a home-cooked meal or running errands. If you’re already friends with the family, ask a neighbor with children if they could use an occasional babysitter at no charge.
When deciding what to do to volunteer with an organization, lean into your strengths and interests. If you worked in marketing, you could help spread the word, for example. People who have worked in finance may help with the books. Or if you need a break from the grind of your career, find a completely different way to give your time. You may not need to make it a regular gig. Some organizations need sporadic or seasonal help, which makes it easier for retirees to participate.
Reach out to your body of faith, club or civic organization. Now that you’re retiring, you’ll have more time to participate.
What organizations support causes do you uphold? Look online for a local branch of that organization that could use your help and see where they could use assistance. Even if no volunteer opportunities are listed, the leader can likely find something meaningful for you to do.
The nationwide homecare crisis has left many organizations scrambling to find companionship and transportation volunteers to support older adults still living at home. Volunteering through an agency can ensure that you receive training and sometimes a stipend to cover driving expenses. A friendly face and a couple of hours of visiting can help seniors stay independent longer.
Many organizations support people with disabilities through mentorship, job training, companionship and more. As with volunteering with seniors, these organizations typically provide training and ongoing support to volunteers as they assist people with special needs.
Animal rescue organizations and shelters are ideal venues for animal lovers to volunteer, whether it’s in a hands-on role or in administration. Some organizations focus on pets and others on farm animals.
Need more ideas? Check out United Way’s site, www.volunteercny.org, Oswego County Opportunities, www.oco.org/volunteer-opportunities, InterFaith Works, www.interfaithworkscny.org/get-involved/volunteer.