By Alexandra Newman
Knocking on the door of a stranger isn’t always the most comfortable thing.
Sometimes I find myself rehearsing what I’m going to say in my head the entire way there, “Hi, I’m Alexandra from Area Agency on Aging and I’m just dropping off this care package to spread some holiday cheer!”
My anxiety is eased every single time when I’m greeted by a smiling face who is so incredibly grateful “someone thought of them.”
“This means so much to me.”
“I feel like a celebrity. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“This is so nice.”
These are just some of the many quotes I, and over 40 other volunteers, hear every year when we deliver holiday care packages to older adults around Berrien County.
I’ve been volunteering with Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to deliver these packages every year for the last four years, even before I started working here. It takes about an hour of my time and brings so much joy to our community.
While we won’t start recruiting volunteers for that project again until next November, there are opportunities all year long for you to make a difference in the life of an older adult in Southwest Michigan.
If you’re a person who enjoys being a good neighbor and wants to lend a helping hand, you might consider joining our Friendly Helper Volunteer Program.
These volunteers help older adults who reach out to AAA with tasks they need help completing. Help with these tasks can be the difference between continuing to live independently in their own homes and having to move somewhere with a little more help.
These are typically one-off needs like changing a light bulb, transportation to an appointment, or setting up technology like a new WIFI router. But they can also be ongoing like running errands, grocery pick up, laundry, lawn mowing/yard work, snow removal, or vacuuming.
I think back on all the tasks I helped my grandparents with, like getting something down from a tall shelf. They’re little things, but they make such a difference.
Many requests have been made lately for snow removal and/or salting. We’ll get calls sometimes that folks won’t leave their homes for needed doctor’s appointments because of fear of falling on the ice.
All volunteer opportunities at Area Agency on Aging are customizable and flexible to your availability, abilities and expertise. Training is provided.
So, if you have just a couple minutes to pop in and help someone, or a few hours of your time to spend with an older adult, we’d love to have you on our volunteer team.
Volunteers can learn more and express interest by calling our volunteer team directly at 269-983-7058 or by visiting https://areaagencyonaging.org/volunteer-opportunities/.