https://www.reddit.com/r/AskOldPeople/comments/1h2z056/have_you_done_and_volunteer_work/
created by AbleButton4912 on 29/11/2024 at 23:33 UTC
43 upvotes, 76 top-level comments (showing 25)
I have found that since I retired that I need things to stimulate me and me out of the house. Doing volunteer work has done that and I find it very rewarding.
Comment by AutoModerator at 29/11/2024 at 23:33 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
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Comment by airckarc at 29/11/2024 at 23:55 UTC
15 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My dad has volunteered extensively during his 20 years of retirement. He mainly works in parks, pulling ivy and taking care of his assigned areas. His favorite is his current gig. He takes care of the Vietnam Veterans memorial park Washington Park in Portland OR.
My mom made up her own volunteer gig. She’d go to retirement homes and type out people’s oral stories to give to their families.
My mom has quit due to health issues and she also helps with her 103 year old dad.
They also travel a lot, though not as much after COVID.
Comment by KissMyGrits60 at 30/11/2024 at 00:01 UTC
13 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I am a volunteer, I am a Blind volunteer, for an organization called lighthouse Of Sarasota, it’s based in Sarasota, Florida, I am what they call a buddy, for people who go into the program, to let them know what to expect with the program, answer any questions they may have, this is basically a class for blind people, where they get independent, living skills, technology, technology, training, mobility training. Very important. I am what they call a buddy, so I have phone numbers of couple of ladies who are going into the program, because right now the classes are backed up, so they need advice and I’m the one who will mentor them and help them through that, by talking on the phone to them, and answering any questions they may have, or if they are fearful for anything. I am blind myself, I live independently, I can walk to the grocery store Publix now, to the post office, and I’m going to be learning to walk to another little Plaza. That’s right next to the grocery store, where they have the Chinese restaurant, nail salon, there’s a bait and tackle coffee shop, I’m willing to try that, lol. There’s even a Publix liquor store, but I don’t frequent that. But I’m going to be taught to walk to the stores. Being blind, you can live an independent life, the only thing I can’t do is drive a car. I couldn’t do it very well when I could see in the first place, so my children told me. Lol.
Comment by virtual_human at 29/11/2024 at 23:53 UTC
11 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I've been fostering kittens for four years.
Comment by NANNYNEGLEY at 30/11/2024 at 00:01 UTC*
12 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Back when I could be on my feet, I always volunteered in local libraries.
Back when I still had my voice, I volunteered to record cassette tapes for reading for the blind .
Back when I still had my eyesight, I volunteered in local schools to help slow kids learn to read.
Back when I was a Girl Scout troop leader, I volunteered to handle all the registrations and product sales for our service unit of 35 troops. I also volunteered to run badge workshops for those troops.
I miss it all but now that I’m retired from my paying jobs, I’m too old for any of it.
Comment by JoyousZephyr at 30/11/2024 at 00:37 UTC
10 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I found a nearby wildlife rehab, and it's changed my life. Three days a week I get splattered with poop, scratched, bitten, and covered in mud. I can tube-feed a possum, assist a baby raccoon who aspirated her formula, and test for waterproofing in a cormorant. I love it!
Comment by ohmyback1 at 30/11/2024 at 00:04 UTC
8 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Too much at church. Throughout my lifetime I have been the goto person. I'm done. When my church closes I'm taking a long break.
Comment by Taxed2much at 29/11/2024 at 23:42 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I still work and plan to do that for many more years, health permitting. But if I were to retire from work I would need something worthwhile to do, and the right volunteer work would be a good way to satisfy that need.
Comment by AdditionalCheetah354 at 29/11/2024 at 23:48 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Food bank, hospital, RedCross, Samaritan purse, mowing yards for disabled &poor, Salvation Army,
Comment by curmudgeonswife at 30/11/2024 at 01:18 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I volunteer at the animal shelter walking dogs and cleaning/playing with cats. Absolutely love it!
Comment by cannycandelabra at 29/11/2024 at 23:44 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Yes, I have volunteered with local not for profits and for my church. Sometimes I’ve been a regular volunteer and sometimes the volunteer activities have been project-specific. I think it’s well worth doing.
Comment by Rightbuthumble at 30/11/2024 at 00:41 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I spent years volunteering at the women's shelter where I tutored the children and helped the women who didn't graduate study for their GED, learn to build a resume, you know, literacy things. I also volunteered as a rape crisis councillor which amounted to meeting the victim at the hospital and staying with her. Since retiring, Covid hit and I was put on lockdown because of myimmune system and then my hip needs to be replaced and I have beginning Alzheimer's so I don't do much.
Comment by [deleted] at 30/11/2024 at 00:21 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Of course, Habitat, Food Bank and Ronald McDonald house for about 12 years.
Comment by JanaKaySTL at 30/11/2024 at 00:22 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I volunteered at the Science Center collections department for about 25 years before covid. I really miss it. The manager has had to double up on her duties, so we aren't able to go in at the moment.
I also volunteered at my son's schools, and church events (Pridefest and things like that). It's fun to meet and talk with people.
Comment by Odd_Bodkin at 30/11/2024 at 00:39 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I volunteered for years before retiring. I just do more now. Live it, love it.
Comment by BenGay29 at 30/11/2024 at 01:04 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Yes. I’ve taught prison literacy classes and served on the board of our local library.
Comment by pete_68 at 29/11/2024 at 23:46 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
We periodically volunteer in a kitchen that feeds the poor. My wife used to manage part of it and we did more regularly, but we moved a bit away, so we only do it for big events, like Christmas, when they're having trouble finding people.
I've volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in the past.
And then my employer has an annual "day of service" where everyone in the company (about 1700 people) is expected to spend the day volunteering for some cause. The company organizes a lot of different things people can do. Everything from physical things like cleaning parks to online things like helping the Smithsonian do transcriptions of historical documents.
I'm retiring in 4 years and have lots of plans for volunteering (Habitat is high on my list). I agree that it's very rewarding. More rewarding than just about anything else, honestly. That's a big part of why I'm looking forward to retirement; to have time to volunteer in bigger ways.
Comment by 1stTinyPanther at 30/11/2024 at 00:38 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m still working, I also volunteer every weekend, go to church each Sunday, attend fellowship on Tuesdays, Bible Study Wednesdays, and then a seminary course Thursdays. Important to keep the brain active.
Comment by Ok-Boat4839 at 30/11/2024 at 01:05 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Yes, my husband and I volunteer at the church and at the Legion.
Comment by The_Real_Undertoad at 30/11/2024 at 01:32 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Volunteered at Museum of Flight, and it was interesting and rewarding.
Comment by wickedlees at 30/11/2024 at 01:32 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I did foster dog work, food bank work, I worked full time, raising 3 children. Now I've sold my business and am a Gma full time. I'm hoping to volunteer full time next year if I'm able.
Comment by bipolarbyproxy at 30/11/2024 at 01:38 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I've had various volunteer gigs all throughout adulthood. Over the last 40 years, I have done quite a bit as a volunteer and can't even remember them all... Detroit Radio Information Service--reading to the blind and visually impaired over WDET airways, Red Cross Ski Patrol, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, The Christopher Leadership Course volunteer, Cathecist, Meals on Wheels and became a Master Gardener through our local Extension Service. My mom volunteered through the Red Cross and instilled a volunteer responsibility in both my sister and I.
Comment by karrynme at 30/11/2024 at 02:24 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I am a Master Gardener, great volunteer work with plenty of opportunities so you can find what works for you in the program. I like the diagnostics part and entomology but some folks dig in the gardens, some teach, some do outreach. Great organization and all info is science based.
Comment by Candymom at 30/11/2024 at 21:10 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I deliver meals on wheels once a week.
Comment by Equal-Train-4459 at 29/11/2024 at 23:54 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I'm not retired yet but Ive done some volunteering and it is very rewarding. Especially if you have a skill to share.