Volunteering when you're old

Sometimes I see ads in the neighborhood paper and the church paper asking
for volunteers for things like tutoring children, helping the elderly learn
to use computers, etc. They usually supply an email address. When I
respond I say something like - I am 74 years old, retired, have lots of time
on my hands and would like to volunteer with your group.
I have never had one response. Why do I tell my age? Because on the two
occasions I went without mentioning that, I was greeted with looks of
extreme disappointment and I couldn't handle it.
It makes me sad that so many younger people think we're worthless once we
reach a certain age.

Cochon Capitaliste...

Maybe it isn't your age that turns them off.

California Poppy...

Forget about your age, and never mention it. What would you enjoy
doing? Really think through what you could do and would most feel
worthwhile doing. Then, go for it.

I continue to teach computers to Seniors, although as a paid employee
of the city Recreation and Park district. I usually have several
people volunteering as my assistants to help newbies who are having
difficulty. I would love to have your help.

Rita...

I found that the Atlanta area has a branch of the
RSVP program -- which provides volunteer oppotunities
for people over age 55. You might check that out. I've
volunteered for years and age was never a factor. You may
have just hit a clunker or two, but I assure you senior
volunteers do tutoring, assist others with computers and
countless other volunteer jobs as well. I met a few less
than warm receptions when I first applied for volunteer
work, but decided I wouldn't want to deal with such a group
anyway.

Here is the story I found -- you should be able to find
RSVP in your phone book.

Rita...

the Corporation for National Service. The Retired Senior Volunteer
Program invites adults, aged 55 and older, to use their experience and
skills to assist communities in need. RSVP volunteers serve in various
capacities such as mentoring, companionship, administrative, Meals on
Wheels, advocacy, tour guides, neighborhood watch, etc. The RSVP
program serves 5 Metro Atlanta counties, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton
and Gwinnett. The RSVP program in DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties serves
as the official source for senior volunteers in the county. A total of
426 new volunteers were recruited and placed during 2004 for a grand
total of 1,325 volunteers. The annual federal grant is $180,935 plus
approximately $111,000 in matching funds from the several counties and
other sources. The GSU Rialto Center for the Performing Arts has been
added as a station for utilization of
senior volunteers through the RSVP program

George Z. Bush...

I volunteer a few hours once a week to my county's senior center in my part of
the county. I help them put together the "meals on wheels" that they serve
daily to housebound seniors as well as to serve the seniors who come to the
center for their one hot meal of the day.

Parenthetically, although I'm surely not the oldest person in the building, I'd
be willing to bet that I'm older than 3/4 of them and I'd also bet that not one
of them thinks I'm worthless. After all, I haven't dumped a tray in anyone's lap
yet, and I'm perfectly capable of and do in fact fetch an extra milk or dessert
or whatever when they ask for something.

I've yet to eat one of the meals that I serve to them because I'm perfectly
capable of and do prepare my own according to what I feel like rather than what
the county's dietician prescribes.

It makes me feel good to be able to do something for others that they can no
longer do for themselves, and it gives me something to do and to look forward to
each week. BTW, I don't recall that I was even asked how old I was when I
volunteered, although I don't see any reason to keep it a secret.

There's got to be a place for you in the Atlanta area.....if I can find one in a
far less developed area of coastal North Carolina than Atlanta or its environs,
I'm sure that you could, too, if you kept looking. If DeKalb County or the City
doesn't have anything that suits you, try some of the area churches. I'm sure
that some of them run programs to provide mentoring for youngsters or even
foster grandma's for kids who don't have any. I'm sure that they'd love to have
you give their kids a few hours a week who otherwise won't have any time to
share an older person's wisdom in helping them cope with life.

There's a place for you.....keep on looking until you find it.

George Z.