Many who turn 60 find themselves embracing a new stage of life, a stage in which they want to pursue new opportunities and experiences. Life after 60 is a period of vibrant activity, alive with new activities and relationships. Volunteering is an excellent way to make this time even more exciting.

Volunteering is beneficial for all who are involved. For the volunteers, volunteering is a way to stay socially connected—one of the leading indicators of healthful aging—especially after retirement. Volunteers benefit the community with their service and perform essential jobs that agencies depend on. For instance, the Office for Aging would not be able to deliver Meals on Wheels to nearly 400 seniors a day without its volunteers.

The Office for Aging welcomes volunteers of all ages but pays special attention to the needs of those over 60. Listed below are some of our current volunteer activities.

• Deliver Meals on Wheels for just one day a week or for as many as five. Volunteers go out in pairs with one person driving and the other delivering meals to the door.
• Volunteer at a Senior Center on any day Monday through Friday. Volunteers serve meals, teach classes, take reservations and answer telephones. There is also a need for volunteers to assist in planning programs at the Senior Centers.
• Assist the staff at one of our Yesteryears Group Respite sites to provide socialization and leisure activities for seniors who are isolated and/or impaired in some way. 
• For individuals looking to use their office skills, we often have opportunities for clerical volunteers and volunteers interested in helping with data entry.
• Income eligible seniors can volunteer to work with special needs children through the Foster Grandparent Program. Volunteers are placed at local day care sites and elementary schools.
• For those interested in serving the home bound, the Shopper program, contracted out to the Faith In Action Volunteers Program uses volunteers to grocery shop and run errands for seniors who have mobility impairment.
• Those who wish to serve in a teaching role may be interested in becoming a lay leader of a wellness program. The OFA Health and Wellness program has multiple opportunities for instructors.

The Office for Aging welcomes you to join in and discover the benefits of volunteering.

To volunteer, call: 607.778.2411 or send an email to: ofa@broomecountyny.gov

**If you send an email, please let us know if there is a specific Office for Aging program you would like to volunteer with and what days and times are best for you. Thank you for your interest!