Volunteer Opportunities for Retirees
The Good
You have made it to that goal in life where you can hang up the keys to your brick-and-mortar job. Congratulations. It has been a long road to travel, but now you have the time to do things you never had time to do before.
The Bad
Now that the time has come to make the transition from your daily routine of getting up and getting ready to head to the office, instead, you have a cup of coffee, then sit back and wonder what your plans are for the rest of the day. It can be a daunting task, indeed, that can have you scratching your head asking, “What to do? What to do?”
While retiring may seem like the best thing that has happened since bottled water, the reality is it can leave a person with a lot of time to fill, which, let’s face it, can get boring faster than a New York minute.
The Options
Fortunately, you can take all your talent and smarts and put your experience to good use by volunteering with a variety of organizations.
There are many opportunities available for retirees. Here are just a few things to consider that provide help on a lot of levels that result in a fulfilling day, or longer, for everyone involved.
1. Humane Society
For animal lovers, the Humane Society is a great place to share your love with animals that are in need of a forever home. Your local center may need help on a short- or long-term volunteer basis to help care for the animals in their facility.
Volunteers can sign up for various areas, such as helping with adoptions, socializing with pets, providing exercise activities, working at special events, and participating in educational programs. There are even opportunities to work with the veterinarians and technicians in charge of providing healthcare for the animals.
2. National Park Service
For retirees who enjoy the great outdoors, consider volunteering with the National Park Service. Visit the NPS website to search for volunteer opportunities in your state. The same is true for state parks in need of volunteers. Check your state’s parks and recreation website for opportunities. Some of these positions include conducting tours, assisting with keeping trails clean, greeting visitors, and participating in special events.
3. Meals on Wheels
Delivering food to seniors at their homes is perfect for retirees who like to “be on a roll” to new places in their community. Along with being out and about delivering meals along a predetermined route, you also get to meet and greet homebound seniors. This can be a rewarding experience on many levels.
4. Peace Corps
That’s right. The Peace Corps is actively seeking volunteers aged 50+ to help make a difference in the world. The Corps realizes seniors bring a wealth of life experiences combined with maturity to the table. If you are a retiree looking to continue your life’s journey on the roads less traveled across the globe, contact the organization for more information about how you can help. Training, housing, and a stipend are part of the program that you can participate in for several months or longer.
5. AARP
Founded in 1958, AARP has lived by the motto of the founder, Ethel Percy Andrus, “To serve, not to be served.” AARP offers many services to its members as well as a long list of volunteer opportunities for positions in person and virtually. One of their more colorful volunteer positions is the annual printing and sending of Valentine’s cards or delivering roses to older adults living in the community or in a senior retirement center.
6. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity makes it easy to volunteer. Just go to their website, and plug in your zip code or your state, to find out about volunteer opportunities. The organization offers long-term and group volunteers as well as travel and building opportunities. The Habitat team does home repairs, hosts events, and has their ReStore for sales of donated items. There is a lot of diversity in volunteer positions that allow retirees to continue to give back to their community in a positive way.
7. Community Centers
A gold mine to tap into for volunteer positions is with your city or county government. Volunteer positions may include programs at community arts and cultural centers, within the school district, during political campaigns, habitat restoration, park maintenance, site clean-ups, interpretive programs, and many more.
8. Community Gardens
For plant enthusiasts, check with local community gardens in your city or your local garden club or botanical society to volunteer your time. Both offer positions where you can show off your green thumb techniques and share your horticultural experience. Volunteers have positions, such as tending to the plants by weeding and pruning, sowing plant seeds, raking and mowing, leading a tour, participating in fund-raising events, and teaching plant and/or vegetable gardening classes.
9. YMCA
Since 1851, the YMCA has served communities across America. In London, the association was founded in 1844. Needless to say, the Y has a long-standing reputation for providing education, programs, and activities. Check your local Y for volunteer positions, such as being a mentor to a teen or child, coaching a youth sports team, sharing your life experience with afterschool enrichment, offering translation services, supporting special events, and helping with member services. Retirees with a medical background can also assist in promoting healthy living practices and activities for those participating in the program, staff, and Y members.
10. AmeriCorps
Nearly 150,000 Americans aged 55+ offer their services to AmeriCorps Seniors in search of volunteer positions. The list of volunteer opportunities at numerous organizations is extensive and diverse. On the AmeriCorps website, use the search tool to find openings in your state and county. All contact information is provided (phone, email, website) to find current opportunities with the specific nonprofit organizations in your area or nearby.
Wherever you volunteer, you can do so knowing that your time is being well spent on helping others as well as yourself. Search the sites, apply, then get ready to take the next exciting step in your ongoing journey through life.
