Retiree shares how she found her ideal volunteer opportunity

How do you find your ideal volunteer opportunity when you retire?

“When I retired I knew I wanted to volunteer, says RSVP Northern Virginia volunteer Pat Dubois. “ I wasn’t sure what opportunities really suited me,” Pat says.

Pat was seeking an opportunity that offered flexibility, would afford her the chance to meet other retirees and one that would allow her to serve the community.

Two years ago she found all three thanks to RSVP Northern Virginia. Pat says now “I cannot imagine not volunteering.” RSVP Northern Virginia is a program of Volunteer Fairfax, Volunteer Arlington and Volunteer Alexandria.

“When I retired I knew I wanted to volunteer, says RSVP Northern Virginia volunteer Pat Dubois. “ I wasn’t sure what opportunities really suited me,” Pat says.

After attending an RSVP information session an RSVP volunteer specialist gave Pat a list of possible opportunities based on her interests and background. One that caught her eye was Meals on Wheels of Arlington.

RSVP Northern Virginia, the region’s largest volunteer network for people 55-years-old and better, will hold a free seminar on volunteering in retirement, Tuesday, July 17, at 3:30 p.m., at the Lorton Library at 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA 22079.

The one-hour event is free and open to the public. To sign up for the July 17 seminar, email RSVP Volunteer Specialist Carly Hubicki at chubicki@volunteerfairfax.org or call RSVP at 703-403-5360. You can sign up online at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=xygbvxbab&oeidk=a07efh0bb5l180eb1b0

Volunteering with Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels provides its clients with necessary meals five days a week, according to Pat. The meals are provided to those who are unable to prepare meals for themselves. In Lorton, RSVP can match its volunteers with food delivery program RSVP's partner, Fairfax County Volunteer Solutions.

There are multiple routes designed to serve 6-12 clients a day. Pat volunteers one day a week with the program. Volunteers pick up the prepared meals at a church at the same time every day (11 a.m.) before making their rounds which Pat says typically takes her about 90 minutes.

“Some of the clients have been on their own for some time,” Pat says. “They look forward to seeing you (the volunteer), sharing some of the events in their lives and they talk about their family. “

Often times the Meals on Wheels volunteer may be the only human contact the client will have on any given day, according to Pat. “Developing a relationship with those clients is very important to them (the clients) and it is very rewarding for the volunteer.”

In Fairfax County, RSVP can match its volunteers with food delivery opportunities through Fairfax County’s Volunteer Solutions.

RSVP offers more than 200 meaningful opportunities across the region. RSVP volunteers help seniors age in place, they assist local veterans in need and they help prepare communities for disasters. RSVP also recruits volunteers for various community events including for the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. Several of RSVP’s nonprofit partners are based near Lorton including New Hope Housing and The River Farm.

RSVP volunteers enjoy flexible schedules, free accident and liability insurance while serving, optional mileage and meal reimbursement and are invited to volunteer group projects and social gatherings.

“Supporting these food delivery programs is a crucial part of RSVP’s ongoing commitment to helping area seniors age in place,” says RSVP volunteer specialist Carly Hubicki.

According to the 2012 The United States of Aging survey, “ Approximately 90 percent of seniors intend to continue living in their current homes for the next five to 10 years.”

Carly says Pat delivers meals to around 40 clients every month and makes a major difference in the lives of seniors who want to “age in place. “Pat is a wonderful , reliable volunteer,” Carly says.

Pat also volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. With the help of dedicated and trained volunteers like Pat, low-income families throughout Northern Virginia received over $10.7 million in refunds last tax season.

Why is senior volunteerism is important?

“For so many different reasons,” she says. “Part of it is for our own well- being.”

National studies have found that seniors who volunteer for at least one year show signs of improved physical health and even improved mental health in many cases.

“Volunteering, giving back to the community, to me, is so rewarding, Pat says.

She says volunteering has been “absolutely wonderful, just in meeting others who also volunteer and helping clients.

The RSVP NOVA difference

Pat says RSVP is particularly helpful because it give one an opportunity to see what fits with your personality, do you want an activity you can do on your own or with a larger group.

“As a volunteer you are able to determine what type of activities suits your schedule, that is what is really nice about RSVP,” Pat says.

Pat fits in RSVP “one-offers.” (one time volunteer projects) whenever she can. She says they are fun and also gives her a chance to meet other volunteers in addition to the ones she works with at VITA and with Meals on Wheels.

“I highly recommend RSVP to anyone who is thinking of volunteering or who really loves to help other people, “ she says. “You meet people who are like-minded and enjoy volunteering. It’s extremely rewarding.”