By Aldric Martinez-Olson
Alexandria, VA – Why should people age 55+ volunteer? We thought we’d start by letting the community speak for itself.
Volunteerism has been a part of Elizabeth Murphy’s life since she can remember. Despite having six kids and not a lot of free time, her mother set aside time to serve Meals on Wheels. “She loved to cook, and she would make meals and have all the prep out, and I’d help her, and we’d go deliver it.” This foundation led to Elizabeth volunteering later in life, once her career freed up her time. She is a dedicated volunteer at Volunteer Alexandria and is an integral part of the Toy Drive. “I’ve been very fortunate in my life, and I want to give back. So, I want to not only give back my time, but…I love doing that with my children and having them involved as well and seeing the good they can do.” For Elizabeth, volunteering was a fun way to meet people as her friend groups shifted. “I am more of an introvert, and this brings me out of my shell. It makes me more of a people person,” she says. Socializing is much easier when there is no pretense!
Pat Bennis was a volunteer docent for Fairfax County for 31 years, where she made long-lasting connections with many locals and visitors. For her, volunteering is a way to stay connected to the community and seeing her city in a new way that she wouldn’t have otherwise. “I like finding out about parts of [the city] that I haven’t seen myself.” Volunteering offered her chances for personal growth, especially when performing outreach tasks. “I’m gregarious, but I’m not an extrovert,” Pat says. “But it was easy to just say, are you interested in volunteering?” The wide range of volunteer opportunities on the database allows volunteers to play to their strengths and choose a schedule that works for them, both of which were essential to Pat. As to why volunteering is important for ages 55+, her answer was clear-cut and concise: “It’s interesting, fun, rewarding, and it gets you out of the house.”
Volunteer Alexandria would not be the same without its 55+ volunteers, who have dedicated countless hours both in the office and assisting in their communities. After retirement parties and graduation ceremonies commence, schedules begin to look a lot clearer. Why not fill that space with volunteering?
Email [email protected] to be added to the list.
Did you know? According to a 2019 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (Kim, Eric S. et al.), volunteers who spent over 100 hours a year serving were more likely to live longer lives, be physically active, and have increased mental and social wellbeing.
Here is a peek at the many opportunities available for ages 55+ in Alexandria:
Community Cupid: Find a Match While Supporting a Good Cause! – This Valentine’s Day, Sunday, Feb. 14, Volunteer Alexandria is hosting an event where people ages 50-65 will be matched via a survey and then participate in rounds of speed dating while crafting decor for next year’s Toy Drive.
Organize a Flea Market – Help organize Mount Vernon Big Flea, a fundraising event for the school, on its 20th anniversary. Manage other volunteers, support social media, and coordinate logistics – whatever suits your skills.
Become a Preschool Assistant – Create a warm and fun environment for preschoolers! Prepare materials, set up the class, and read to children at Child and Family Network Centers.
More opportunities for anyone interested in volunteering can be found at https://www.volunteeralexandria.org/search.
Connect with us email us via email [email protected] or call 703-836-2176.
