Previous Senior Circles columns about volunteering have been from the standpoint of nonprofit organizations looking for volunteers. This time, the column is primarily from the vantage point of the volunteer.
I hope this column prompts you to volunteer in 2015, if you haven't already. Based on those I interviewed for this column, volunteering does make a difference in the lives of others, but especially in the lives of the volunteers.
Christian Services of Howard County accomplishes its mission to help the needy through its Thrift Shop, at 3267 Pine Orchard Lane, in Ellicott City. The thrift shop, which sells household items, clothing and furniture, is the source of funds used to financially help those in need with rent, mortgages, utilities, food and special needs.
Anne Nix, 80, of Ellicott City, has volunteered at the thrift shop for about three years. On Tuesdays, she works sorting and pricing pants and skirts. She also evaluates what items to put on the floor for sale, making sure the items are in very good condition.
Anne also volunteers at her church with the Stephen Ministry and the pastoral care team. As a depositor at Miller's Grant, she volunteers as the editor-in-chief of News Notes, a newsletter for depositors/future residents of the continuing care retirement community planned for Ellicott City. To keep her future neighbors in touch, Anne also plans activities, such as tree lighting, coffee connections and yard sales.
Anne enjoys being a friend to many people. After her husband died, she found the need to get out of the house, and as a result she is getting a lot more out of life. She said, "Being able to help others is very rewarding." She gets so much more out of volunteering than she did over the years at her job because she is doing it willingly and "it makes life a wonderful situation." She said that volunteers get a lot more out of volunteering than they give and are happier people.
Another nonprofit popular with older adult volunteers is Neighbor Ride, a transportation program that provides rides for seniors to medical appointments, shopping, social outings, fitness activities, religious services and other needs. Flexible daytime, evening and weekend volunteer opportunities are available. Volunteer orientations are held every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and one evening each month at 5570 Sterrett Place, Suite 102, in Columbia. For information, call 410-884-RIDE or go to volunteer@neighborride.org.
George Walgrove Jr., 82, of Columbia, is starting his fourth year with Neighbor Ride. He tries to drive clients two times a week. Last year he provided 77 rides to senior clients. An elder in his church, he is also on the board of directors for Camp Hemlock, a Christian camp for boys and girls in West Virginia, where as a flight instructor he gives air rides and teaches maneuvers to campers.
His motivation toward volunteerism started in his early 40s in Vermont, when he observed men retiring with nothing to do but pester their wives, who had their own agendas. He and his wife, Norma, decided to divide their life activities between the spiritual, family, employment, community service and fitness. So, retirement was an easy transition for them.
As George said, "They just slipped into retirement." He likes to call it "redirection," not retirement. He and his wife both stay fit and are active hikers.
George also feels that he gets more out of volunteer driving than his riders. All of his riders are very appreciative of his service and he has developed close attachments to some of the people.
George said, "It is a wonderful feeling to have helped someone."
Wendy van Antwerp, 66, of Columbia, has volunteered with Neighbor Ride for over three years. She drives clients two or three times a week and is now a ride coordinator two or three times a month. After a forced retirement, she especially enjoys the ride coordinator job because she realized how much she missed being in an office environment.
Wendy's motivation to volunteer with Neighbor Ride stemmed from her experience when her mother moved here from Maine in 2000. There was no transportation service to help her get her mother where she needed or wanted to go. Wendy often had to take off work to take her mother to appointments. Her mother has since died, but she said that her Neighbor Ride women clients often seem like her mother and that makes her feel young, like she's a daughter.
Wendy has found that people are so appreciative of the rides and it is "so much more rewarding than her work years." During rides, she is amazed at how much there is to talk about and how the history and lives of riders are so interesting. Wendy drove a recent client to the lobby of an office building, where he played the piano while people came into work. He has been doing this for 19 years; it is his livelihood but he can no longer drive himself to the destination.
Wendy sat and listened to him play and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Wendy said, "As you can tell, I'm pretty enthusiastic about it."
Since September 2005, Sue Appletree, of Columbia, has volunteered on Tuesdays as a ride coordinator in the Neighbor Ride office. She and her husband also run a nonprofit, Prepare for Success, collecting and providing school supplies to low-income and homeless Howard County public school students.
Sue volunteers with Neighbor Ride so she can help people, especially seniors who may not have family in the area and may be isolated. Sue gets a lot of repeat clients on the phone; gets to know them; and they are like longtime friends. She also gets to know the volunteer drivers and has developed friendships with staff members. All involved learn about each other and from each other. Sue said, "When I am not there, I miss it."