Consider Volunteering For Caring Neighbors!
What is Caring Neighbors?
Caring Neighbors is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving seniors in The Villages.
Anne Bosler, who lives in the Village of Hadley started Caring Neighbors in 2016. She saw that there were individuals within her neighborhood that needed help. She recruited other neighbors and set up a system to give those in need assistance, such as giving a ride to the doctor’s office, walking a dog as someone recovers from knee surgery, relieving a caregiver for a short respite, etc. Caring neighbors is now in over 40 villages with over 1,000 volunteers.
How does the process work for volunteers?
The beauty of Caring Neighbors is that it is structured so that volunteers can assist whenever it is convenient for them. When a neighbor calls for assistance, an email containing pertinent information is sent to all the volunteers in the Village. The volunteer who can fill that request RESPONDS TO ALL and then calls the neighbor to schedule the service. Everyone then knows that the request is filled and they can delete the email. The system works flawlessly, and there is never any pressure on the volunteers to fill a specific client need.
What benefits will I experience from volunteering?
There is nothing more fulfilling than helping someone in need. Every service provided to someone in need results in a higher quality of life for that individual. Volunteers see the importance of what they are doing and know they are making a positive impact on those being served!
Research has shown that volunteers receive several significant health benefits from volunteering, such as:
Improves physical and mental health:
Volunteer activities keep people moving and thinking at the same time. Research has found that volunteering provided benefits to physical and mental health. As an example, those that volunteer have a lower rate of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older.
Reduces Stress:
Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine. By spending time in service to others, volunteers report feeling a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received, which can have a stress-reducing effect.
Provides a sense of purpose:
The work that volunteers provide is essential to everyday activities, giving volunteers a sense of purpose, especially when giving their time and talent in the areas they find meaningful.
Nurtures new and existing relationships and friendships:
Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to participate in a shared activity.
Caring Neighbors is a wonderful organization to consider volunteering with!
Look on their website at https://www.thevillagescaringneighbors.com and click on the “volunteer” tab for information on how to volunteer.
If there is not a Caring Neighbors established in your village, consider starting one yourself!
Residents within the village of Hemingway interested in volunteering can contact Teena at (352) 358-7090.
Carol Ann Wolf of the Village of Hemingway is a Caring Neighbors volunteer.