Volunteering is rewarding and gives us a feeling of accomplishment knowing that we’re helping others and doing something bigger than ourselves. If you are a senior who’s interested in volunteering in your community, there are all kinds of opportunities both in and outside of the home. Here are some ideas:

If you like animals, you can volunteer at the local animal shelter by feeding, interacting or walking the animals. You can also be a foster parent for animals waiting to be adopted.

Consider using your professional skills to help others. For example, if you’re someone that has accounting skills, consider helping low-income families at tax time. Or, if you have experience with event planning, consider helping a local non-profit with their next fundraiser.

Help prepare food or meals for those in need. This could be at a homeless shelter, the Ronald McDonald House, or the local Food Pantry.

Share your gifts and talents. If you’re artistically or musically talented, for example, share this with others at a place you feel comfortable. This could even be at a local park or senior housing residence.

Provide social interaction or other support to others. If you enjoy socializing with others one-on-one or in small group settings, you can volunteer your time at a senior housing facility where you might visit with the residents, play games, or paint nails. You could also consider being a caring presence for someone on hospice services.

Home-based volunteer opportunities exist, and you can explore some of these locally or online based on your abilities and interests. For example, if you like to read and review grammar, you might edit pamphlets for an organization. Here is one link to home-based options: http://helpfromhome.org/.

Opportunities to volunteer are around us, and you can explore your passions and what interests you. You could serve as a receptionist, file paperwork, or support someone one-on-one at many care companies. Look online at https://neighborhoodofgood.statefarm.com/ for additional options near you.

By Kelly Glennon at Hallmark Homecare