How can a retiree help the community?
By Lisa Peake, RN
As the holiday season approaches, let’s talk about the oodles of opportunities to help those less fortunate or to provide support to local not-for-profit organizations. Involvement can be fun—and rewarding.
Involvement in a charity of nonprofit is an opportunity to rally around a cause, share your talents, meet new people and make a meaningful difference in your community.
As we get older, having a sense of purpose and connection becomes increasingly important. Participation in something larger than yourself can provide both! Whether you are organizing a charity walk, selling baked goods, playing in a golf tournament, collecting donations, or simply helping spread the word about an important matter, your involvement can have an impact far beyond the dollars raised.
Want to stay connected? Consider working for a worthy cause! It brings together people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences who share a common goal. In Brevard County, there are countless organizations and causes that depend on community involvement. Supporting a local food pantry, animal rescue, veterans’ organization, senior service, health-related nonprofit or performing arts groups can introduce you to people you might never otherwise meet.
There are personal benefits, too. Hold up your hand and volunteer to use the skills you already have. Someone who enjoys cooking might organize a bake sale. A person who likes to socialize may be an excellent event greeter. Someone comfortable with technology might help create social media posts or organize an online campaign. Others may simply be great at encouraging friends and neighbors to get involved.
And don’t underestimate the emotional rewards. Helping others can provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose. We all have heard the phrase, “It’s better to give than to receive.” Why? Knowing that your efforts helped provide meals, support a family in need, assist a veteran or improve someone’s life—can be incredibly fulfilling.
Perhaps the greatest reward of fundraising is realizing that we can make a genuine difference. Each of us has something to offer—our time, talents, creativity, connections or resources. It doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or even time-consuming. Every contribution matters.
Meals on Wheels, by Aging Matters in Brevard, delivers hot, well-balanced meals each weekday to homebound seniors in Brevard. Here’s an easy way to help: Purchase raffle tickets to win any of dozens of prize-filled baskets now on display at One Senior Place in Viera. Winners will be drawn during a free breakfast event December 18th. All proceeds benefit Aging Matters. For more information, call 321-751-6771.
Lisa Peake is a Registered Nurse, Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Care Manager for One Senior Place Care Management, Viera. A member of the Aging Life Care Association, Ms. Peake hosts ‘Senior Health Friday with Nurse Lisa’ monthly. One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Submit your questions to AskOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com. For immediate help, call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.