Tax Tip: As April usually means “Taxes”
to many of us, remember this.
While donations or travel expenses related to
qualifying organizations may be deducted, your
TIME cannot.
Twice in the early 1990s, I stood in front of the TV listening to President George H.W. Bush address the nation. I still remember. One amounted to a declaration of war (Iraq, Gulf war) and the second a proclamation of his “1000 Points of Light” campaign. The latter led to April becoming National Volunteer Month. President Bush wasn’t the first in his office to promote this proposal; President Nixon created the first National Volunteer Week in 1974.
Media assures that everyone is aware that February is Black History Month, and March is Women’s History Month, but not much lip-service is given to Volunteer month. That is, unless you’re already a volunteer, in which case you may receive a lot more emails during the month hinting for you to ‘up your game.’
Government and Community
Before I encourage volunteerism (the obvious direction I am going) let me make one complaint. I don’t favor governments (local, state or national) abdicating their duty by relying on the never-ending goodwill and donations of volunteers. I believe community helpers should be supplemental, and not usurp government. We are stronger together.
Interesting to me, there appears no rhyme or reason, no logic, as to whether red or blue states have more volunteers, at least of adults over 65. Perhaps more surprising (based on church activity), the deep south, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service, has a lower rate than other regions. That lower rate in southern states is one of the few patterns.
Payback – What Volunteering Does for the Volunteer
Upfront, I will admit no interest in summarizing the tomes written about the benefits WE receive when we volunteer. Yes, those on the “receiving” end are sustained and benefited but so too is the giver; most of us recognize that.
In my post referenced below (Virus-Time Volunteerism), I missed two major advantages. Before pin-pointing them, here are some I did include:
- Sanity structure – maintaining a schedule in life
- Mood Booster – feeling productive
- Mind Booster – activating our “little gray cells” as Hercule Poirot would say
- Strengthening skills for online contact
Who among us would have believed that one of the
phrases most frequently uttered in 2020 would be:
“You’re muted – unmute yourself”
- Fighting loneliness – assuring socialization
- Giving Back
Purpose and Gratitude
While both concepts of purpose and gratitude may be hidden among the payback list above, they shouldn’t go unspoken or merely hinted at. They are spectacular outcomes for us as volunteers.
Gratitude. Helping others can take your mind off your own worries. Further, in many cases where the receiver is clearly in more need than us, it triggers that sense of gratitude that puts life in perspective. I have a few favorite posts in AgingWithPizzazz. Due to the personal memory, one I particularly favor is about gratitude. Revisit it as you may relate to it in your own life: The Music of Gratitude – a Good thing to Practice.
Purpose. Whether our skills are basic, manual, professional, or high-tech if we don’t have a future plan to use them, it means we have no goals, and little purpose. Purpose is one of the greatest paybacks of volunteering and a vial part of staying vital.
Possibilities of HOW we can Help
In the post Virus-Time Volunteerism, I mentioned “8 petite possibilities” to reach out a hand. There are hundreds of ideas online about how to volunteer, many of which we have experienced. The 8 points I reference were specifically small for times of COVID, and included:
- Making Phone Calls. To friends, or for organizations. [According to volunteerhub.com, 71% of volunteers concentrate on one organization.]
- Donations. Cash, equipment, food, gift coupons (which are big in my community as a way of helping restaurants and shops during COVID) or technical skills.
- Saluting Those who Serve. They are still out there, working hard. Notes, gifts, lawn/window signs can still acknowledge and thank them.
- Providing a Grocery Delivery. Even if you (or the receiver) haven’t yet been vaccinated, it can still be done safely with a smile from a distance during drop-off.
- Mask with a Message. Volunteer to spread some nice thoughts.
- Social Shout Outs for Shut-ins. This won’t work for everyone, but even for someone NOT on social media, you can take a picture of a shout-out and drop it in a note or at their door.
- Share Music. Myriad of ways.
- Stay in Touch. Even the smallest excuse will suffice; share something you saw on PBS, discuss a recently read book or critique a new recipe.
“To Serve, not to be Served”
Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, Founder of AARP
Before you Jump in to Volunteer
Somewhere along the way in Aging with Pizzazz, I’ve mentioned that volunteering should feel like fun. I assume that like me, you want reward or a ‘hobby’ not another job or chores on your to-do list that don’t inspire you. (Admittedly, I have these and it can be depressing at times, especially if you feel like those chores are time-thieves.)
Consider your OWN interests before jumping in and being assigned duties. Conversely, sometimes your most valuable assets are to be open-minded, bring a positive attitude and pitch-in where needed. Still, this is easier if you like the “cause” with which you are involved. Ask yourself about your inner interest (be honest, even if it seems silly to others). If you are the type, like me, with interests in numerous subjects, rank them and whittle them down. No doubt, each of us has learned we can’t do it all. We also don’t have to simply follow a friend’s lead; you may actually make additional friends doing something new.
A Dozen Ideas
Where You MIGHT Volunteer After COVID
If you are still in lock-down, unvaccinated or in similar situations, refer back to Virus-Time Volunteerism. But let’s start planning now for ‘normalization’ to return. (I write this as the sunshine and warm weather beckon me back out and into the world.)
Here are some ideas of where you might find volunteer opportunities that suit you. Check online, newspapers or with friends to learn more about each possibility in your area.
- Libraries or senior centers
- Local animal shelters, rescue organizations, wildlife centers or the Zoo
- Local hospital or other health related facilities
- Service organizations such as the League of Women Voters (my pick), Lions Club, AAUW (American Association of University Women), Rotary Club, Soroptimist International, or Kiwanis
- Community theaters, museums, and monuments
- Youth organizations, sports teams, after-school or classroom aid programs
- Adult literacy or education services
- Historical restorations, national parks, and conservation organizations
- Places of worship such as churches, synagogues, mosques or fellowships
- Community gardens or trail maintenance with local hiking groups
- Local food bank or Meals-on-Wheels
- Online Databases – see the Resources section below for finding more options
A Kiwanis club member I knew was a southern gentleman and a “retired” schoolteacher.
He once said to me in his polite manner, and ever-so-slight drawl,
“Dr. Klein, I don’t know how I ever found the time to work.”
His volunteer work varied: some took place monthly, others weekly,
a couple several times a week.
He emphasized both his skills and his interests in this ‘work.’
And he still (always) had time for golf.
Indeed, he was a very busy man, but quite happy and active at 76 years old
(not to mention he looked 20 years younger).
FINAL THOUGHT
Find a reason to volunteer that “floats your boat.” The goodness of bestowing your time is not a new idea. In 1786, Benjamin Franklin started the Union Fire Company, the first Volunteer-run firehouse in the world. More than a few residents in the US have been thankful for this ever since.
“The Essence of Life is to Serve Others and Do Good”
Aristotle (384 BC)
I guess if we don’t have our own purpose in mind, sharing Aristotle’s is not a bad inspiration. Here’s hoping we can all live lives with purpose.
…And remember, volunteer jobs are almost always easier to obtain.
—
Volunteering a ‘thank you’ message can go far to touch others, and come when you least expect it. Video is ‘Stand by Me’ in a fast food shop.
Resources found online:
American Red Cross – Many key service areas, many different skills needed.
Volunteer – Directory of environmental volunteer opportunities.
AARP – Find various openings locally.
U.S. Peace Corps – Major life commitment, but offers opportunities overseas and includes a ”50 Plus” division.
Idealist – Find opportunities locally or internationally.
VolunteerMatch –Match your interests with opportunities and locations.
National & Community Service – Federal organization with volunteer positions across U.S.
—
Picture credit: Helping hands team-spirit Image by Anemone123 from Pixabay.jpg
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