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Improving the current/future lives of children, through reading, is an awesome accomplishment. You'll never know the extent of your gift to them, Escort Rider (or should we call you Escort Reader) -- but that's ok. Often the best things we do are those that have such far-reaching consequences that we cant begin to realize them.
My retirement project is for those at the other end of the age scale. When I was recovering from a stroke six years ago, I became very aware of the need for someone to run errands for the elderly/shut-ins and take them to appointments, etc. I was able to take a taxi to my daily physical/occupational therapy sessions for many months, but a lot of shut-ins cant afford that. There are groups that will taxi them where they need to go but, again, those services cost $$$.
So, when I retired two years ago, I started doing things for the elderly/shut-ins: running errands, picking up prescriptions, buying their groceries, taking their pets to the vet, checking on them regularly, etc. I got additional liability insurance so I could also drive them to medical appointments as well.
I had business cards printed and put them in doctor's offices and the local physical therapy clinic. I dont charge anything for these services -- it's totally a labor of love and is very fulfilling.
We have something like that in my area - called Befrienders. There are also people that pick up the elderly and drive them to appointments. I'd like to do this as before I retired I had worked for 3 years with the elderly and enjoyed it. But we travel so much I think it would be too upsetting to clients to break their routine so often.
...we travel so much I think it would be too upsetting to clients to break their routine so often.
You're right in that the elderly can get used to a routine quite easily and it's hard on them when that routine is disturbed, even if the disruption happens to be just a one-day delay. That can be a burden at times, but their appreciation and gratitude is so heartwarming that I dont mind at all.
Improving the current/future lives of children, through reading, is an awesome accomplishment. You'll never know the extent of your gift to them, Escort Rider (or should we call you Escort Reader) -- but that's ok. Often the best things we do are those that have such far-reaching consequences that we cant begin to realize them.
My retirement project is for those at the other end of the age scale. When I was recovering from a stroke seven years ago, I became very aware of the need for someone to run errands for the elderly/shut-ins and take them to appointments. I was able to take a taxi to my daily physical/occupational therapy sessions for many months, but a lot of shut-ins cant afford that. There are groups that will taxi them where they need to go but, again, those services cost $$$.
So, when I retired two years ago, I started doing things for the elderly/shut-ins: running errands, picking up prescriptions, buying their groceries, taking their pets to the vet and checking on them regularly. I got additional liability insurance so I could also drive them to medical appointments as well.
I had business cards printed and put them in doctor's offices and the local physical therapy clinic. I dont charge anything for these services -- it's totally a labor of love and is very fulfilling.
I really admire you. Gasoline is expensive these days. And our time is even more precious. Thank God, our city has free and every good door-to-door transportation for our senior citizens who cannot drive. There's often a wait, but the city makes sure that everyone gets to the MD appts on time. And everything else -- well, you'd better have a flexible schedule. But, still, it does very well.
I am so glad you recovered so well from your stroke.
You're right in that the elderly can get used to a routine quite easily and it's hard on them when that routine is disturbed, even if the disruption happens to be just a one-day delay. That can be a burden at times, but their appreciation and gratitude is so heartwarming that I dont mind at all.
When I worked taking care of elderly in sheltered housing, they'd hate it when I took off for a couple of weeks. Now I take trips that are generally a month at a time.
I really admire you. Gasoline is expensive these days. And our time is even more precious. Thank God, our city has free and every good door-to-door transportation for our senior citizens who cannot drive. There's often a wait, but the city makes sure that everyone gets to the MD appts on time. And everything else -- well, you'd better have a flexible schedule. But, still, it does very well.
I am so glad you recovered so well from your stroke.
We have free bus for anyone over 60, but some elderly need too much help to use the bus. So they get a volunteer to drive them.
Have been thinking about this topic for a while now. I volunteered for the county animal shelter, helping place unwanted animals in new homes until the weather in the summer got to me and I couldn't take the heat of being outside, with the big bus that went around to festivals and events.
Then I signed up to volunteer with the States Attorneys office, but the "job" was so ill defined and the trainings kept getting changed so I dropped out. It was mostly answering the phone, telling people who had complaints that we did not have the means to help them. I want to be of service to people, not be a thorn in their side.
In addition, ALOT of the places here have you make a 6 month committment to volunteer. That means if I really really don't like it, I couldn't quit. My conscience would bother me. Still am looking for the right place for me to use my time and talents.
Have been thinking about this topic for a while now. I volunteered for the county animal shelter, helping place unwanted animals in new homes until the weather in the summer got to me and I couldn't take the heat of being outside, with the big bus that went around to festivals and events.
Then I signed up to volunteer with the States Attorneys office, but the "job" was so ill defined and the trainings kept getting changed so I dropped out. It was mostly answering the phone, telling people who had complaints that we did not have the means to help them. I want to be of service to people, not be a thorn in their side. I agree! On the other hand, someone has to do the dirty work.
In addition, ALOT of the places here have you make a 6 month committment to volunteer. That means if I really really don't like it, I couldn't quit. My conscience would bother me. Still am looking for the right place for me to use my time and talents.
Same here in NM. Most places require a 6- or even 12-month commitment. THEN -- if we have to take a day off -- we have to find our own replacement. I believe that a volunteer should show up when he/she says he going to show up. There should be very few reasons why a volunteer decides not to show up. But I don't think these places should require such a long commitment (3 months?). Plus, if we volunteers are so important that we are required to find our own replacement if we want a day off -- the place should hire someone. I'm retired. Don't treat me like an employee -- but not pay me.
I worked for one place in my city which required that I pay $40 for my own background check and finger-printing! While that's not a lot of money -- this was a public entity. Why should I have to pay to volunteer??
In addition, ALOT of the places here have you make a 6 month committment to volunteer. That means if I really really don't like it, I couldn't quit. My conscience would bother me. Still am looking for the right place for me to use my time and talents.
How about volunteering for specific events rather than an ongoing type of position? You could volunteer to hand water to runners in a 10K, or help to put on a local festival, things like that.
I started volunteer work at age 14 in our local hospital, now I have nearly half a decade of experience. My jobs have changed as my time was sometimes limited, but, when I was younger, and stronger, I worked on hunger projects and in soup kitchens. Today, I volunteer with our local Friends group at the library which enough for us. Having a husband who also gives back to the community enriches our relationship also. "I" just read over this post and noticed there are way too many "I"s in it....time to put others first.
I started volunteer work at age 14 in our local hospital, now I have nearly half a decade of experience. My jobs have changed as my time was sometimes limited, but, when I was younger, and stronger, I worked on hunger projects and in soup kitchens. Today, I volunteer with our local Friends group at the library which enough for us. Having a husband who also gives back to the community enriches our relationship also. "I" just read over this post and noticed there are way too many "I"s in it....time to put others first.
One of the main ways we get to know each other is if we talk about ourselves. I never get tired of hearing people talk about themselves (on the Internet -- in person, that's another story). Almost always people's lives are so interesting.
And, yes, I would think that when both spouses are volunteers that it would enrich the relationship greatly. Volunteering says a lot about people -- all of it good.
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