Organization seeking volunteers and clients in effort to help neighbors in The Villages

A local volunteer organization is seeking participants and clients to help neighbors in The Villages.

Caring Neighbors is a nonprofit network of volunteers serving about 40 neighborhoods in The Villages. Each group responds to the needs of people in their neighborhood, with services such as transportation, errands, home visits, dog walking, phone buddies, meal deliveries, grocery shopping and handyman work.

“This is a good program that just brings something positive to The Villages,” said Sandy Fuller of the Village of Glenbrook.

Fuller first heard of Caring Neighbors when her late husband was dying. She asked the group for help walking her dogs, and they obliged.

Now, she is just one of 30 volunteers in her village, with 16 currently undergoing required background checks to ensure the group’s and their clients’ safety. This process includes a Social Security number trace, a national criminal search, a sex offender search, a terrorist watch list search and a county/state residence search, according to the group’s website. Those transporting clients undergo a motor vehicle check, as well.

Since the group expanded into Glenbrook close to one year ago, 19 clients in that area have requested their free services. Each client is interviewed to determine their needs. They are then given the central number for their neighborhood’s volunteer group, which sees a request and meets the need. The group asks that requests be made at least three days in advance, but is always willing to help on short notice if possible.

Volunteers in Glenbrook, like every neighborhood group, meet once a month. However, groups also host a social event called Snacks N Facts once or twice a year that is open to residents. These events are designed for neighbors to meet volunteers in their neighborhood, ask questions, join the organization or request a service.

For residents of the Village of Glenbrook, Snacks N Facts will be held on the first anniversary of the group’s introduction to the Village on March 23. Residents are invited to come socialize starting at 3 p.m. at the Saddlebrook Recreation Center.

Other Villagers interested in expanding into their own neighborhoods are encouraged to contact Caring Neighbors President Ellen Broedlin at [email protected].