As the summer begins to wane, and kids are back in school, it’s natural to think of how our lives shift along with nature. It’s a good time to think about what’s ahead, something every Neighbors Network Volunteer has done. Volunteering makes a huge difference in the lives of those who are helped and in the lives of the helpers. We invite you to see if this kind of experience would enrich your life, too.
When volunteering works for you
There are so many opportunities and places to volunteer. When we ask our Volunteers what makes them choose Neighbors Network, what appeals to them, we hear a few answers again and again.
It’s the Members – This is the top answer. Our Volunteers love meeting the Members, hearing their stories, helping with what is a challenge for them to do on their own. Those who drive talk about the time they spend in the car with Members as a standout because it is uninterrupted one-on-one time.
Scheduling flexibility – Many Volunteers say this is the primary reason they continue volunteering with Neighbors Network, for years. They like to help in the ways they prefer when they have time to do it. It’s that simple. Neighbors Network aligns Volunteers’ interests, skills, and schedules with Members’ needs. The system works for everyone.
Personal satisfaction – This is a driving force in all volunteering. Doing good for others feels good. It enriches our experience of being who we are and builds quiet pride in how we show up in the world. Our Volunteers derive real satisfaction from doing little things that make Members’ lives easier. They love spending time with them and getting to know them. There is a deep sense of personal satisfaction in knowing they are doing good in the world, close to home.
They see the need – Our Volunteers come from all walks of life. Some experienced what a loved one went through and saw what getting some help meant. Some wished they had had help. Others see the joy in doing something simple for someone that makes a big difference with little effort. Some just want to give back.
What Neighbors Network Volunteers do – Some like to drive. They provide rides to medical appointments, physical therapy, grocery shopping, haircuts, Neighbors Network group activities, etc. Others prefer to do in-home tasks, like help with organizing a chock-full closet, cabinet or room. Some are tech savvy and help with cellphones, printers, and other devices. Some are small household fix-it types. Others are willing to change linens or fold laundry for Members with back or arm limitations. When it’s cooler, some like tidying up a patio or garden. Think of the myriad tasks you do at home without a second thought and some of the tedious things that wouldn’t be so easy if you couldn’t see or bend as easily as you do now. That’s what our volunteers do.
A wonderful problem
We have the wonderful problem of needing more volunteers. As our reach and impact in our community continue to grow, so does our need for new volunteers. Right now, we are looking for more drivers. Our driving volunteers talk about the joy of meeting interesting people, hearing great stories, and getting to make a connection on the way.
If you – or a friend – would like to know more about volunteering with Neighbors Network, please visit our website and fill out an application. We would love to hear from you!
Spotlight on a Member
Mary says visits with volunteer Gail are a “bright spot” in her calendar. They’ve been meeting for an hour or so about once a month for over a year now. Their conversations easily flow in many directions as they talk about life experiences, past and present. They both say their time together is mentally stimulating, it has expanded their worlds. Mary says she typically jots a few questions as prompts if needed, but rarely refers to them.
When Mary stopped driving, her son said he didn’t want her using Uber. He lives out of state and researched organizations that could provide rides for his mom in the Orlando area. That’s how he found Neighbors Network. He was impressed with what he read online and what he learned when he called to find out more about it. He’s been glad to pay for Mary’s annual membership since.
Mary loves to write and stays in touch with her four kids, 15 grands and 9 great grandchildren. After her husband died suddenly years ago, she taught herself to use the computer her son had given her. It took her months to open it, but once she set her mind to learning to use it, she started writing her thoughts. They turned into the story of her life, titled “A Legacy of Hope.” She had it printed, bound and gifted it to her family and friends.
Mary said she found it easier to write on the computer than by hand. When she was working, she typed and took shorthand at 120 words per minute. That’s fast!
Naturally an introvert, Mary had to learn years ago to get comfortable talking with many people as the wife of a pastor. It was hard at first, until she learned that asking questions is a great way to get others to talk about themselves. She suggests for Members who hesitate to ask for a Neighbors Network volunteer to come for a visit, “be open to trying it. It’s like opening to a new chapter in a book. It may take you places that surprise you.”
Lunch Out
Each month, Neighbors Network arranges with a restaurant for a group of Members to come for lunch, everyone pays for their own. This month, they enjoyed the bounty at Shakers Café on Edgewater in College Park. Lots of good conversation accompanied their delicious lunches.
Other activities available to our Members include Coffee & Donuts at Lake Lily, book titles discussion group at the College Park Neighborhood Center, and more.
Thank you
You are a valued part of our community. You and others like you have helped spread the word about Neighbors Network by talking with friends, family, and neighbors about it. Word of mouth has always been our best way to reach new people. Please pass this newsletter on. Every new Member, Volunteer, Donor and Friend is an opportunity to change the life of an older adult for the better. Thank you for helping us do that!
Your friends at Neighbors Network
Mary T. Scott
Board Member, Volunteers Chair, Newsletter Editor
407-496-3109 cell
mary@neighborsnetworkfl.org
P.S. If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you’d like to receive it monthly, please reply with your name and email giving us permission to add you to our distribution list. Or, go to the bottom of any page at NeighborsNetworkFL.org and sign up for NN News.