Here’s a live-longer, feel-good, enjoy-life secret that roughly one-fourth of Americans pursue year round. This health secret’s easy. No frills. No doctors. No magic pills. No gym. No special diet. And no one pursues it for selfish reasons. They do it for others.
Volunteering — that’s the secret. According to a burgeoning set of national and global studies, giving time, labor and talents to others has measurable mental, social, psychological and longevity benefits, especially for those who log about 100 hours a year. (See the latest research results in “Benefits of Volunteering” at nationalservice.gov.)
The Berks County individuals featured here were, without exception, surprised to hear that there are documented health benefits associated with their volunteer activities. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re cleaning up highways, counting birds for Hawk Mountain, fostering abandoned puppies, or bringing groceries to families whose paycheck doesn’t stretch far enough. What does matter is reaching out and doing volunteer work on a regular basis. That’s all.
Elaine Laws // Parish Visitor
I volunteer as a Parish visitor and hospital visitor for our church, Immanuel UCC. One week of every month I do hospital visits, and I make home visits several times a month, and more if called upon. I visit the hospital, nursing homes, rehab hospitals and homes or apartments — wherever people are.
I have been doing this for at least 15 years.
About 17 years ago, my husband's aunt and uncle who were in their 80s, living in their own home, with no children or living relatives other than some nieces and nephews scattered about, were experiencing difficulty managing on their own. We became their caregivers, making sure they had meals, doctor visits, barber and hair appointments, and help at their home. We helped them move into an assisted living facility near their home, sell their home, and give up their driver's licenses, and we continued helping with doctor and hospital appointments. During these 10 years, we became well aware of the difficulties in the aging process. We saw firsthand how hard it is to move into such a facility, giving up the home you built, the treasures you gathered over the years, and much of your independence.
Throughout this entire time, difficult as it was, they remained pleasant and grateful, laughing often, playing cards, and worshiping with an attitude of gratitude.
It is possible to grow old with dignity and grace. Caring for them made a strong impression on me. Also, visiting with one of our church members over the last 15 years in a nearby nursing facility has helped me realize how lonely some of these people are. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday, and it has been my pleasure to share and listen to her stories. It gives me a knowledge of just how lonely people are and how visiting adds to their lives. I am grateful for this opportunity, for I have learned that “he who loses his life in service to others, for My sake, will find it.” (Matthew 10:39) Aging is tough, but giving to others like this helps me to keep a positive attitude.
Volunteer here!
Immanuel UCC
Churches are a well-traveled avenue to volunteering. Elaine Laws explains: “Immanuel is very involved in outreach with mission trips, a soup kitchen, Family Promise, Walk to the Bridge (helping the homeless in Reading in partnership with Queen City), Bethany Children's Home, Opportunity House and a Gifts of the Arts series of music programs.” immanuel-ucc.org.
Kassie Flink and Family // Animal Aid
I’m 14 and my family and I help out at the Humane Society of Berks County. We assist with the registration table at various events and provide temporary housing for cats and dogs until they are able to be adopted. I’ve been doing this for about seven years.
The very first time, we fostered a mommy dog and her puppies. It was the first time I interacted with puppies from birth to 12 weeks old. It showed me that animals may be cute, but they require a lot of love and hard work. The time it takes depends on the type of fostering we are doing. We have had fosters stay with us from one week to three months. When we foster kittens, we usually have them for about one to two months. Puppies we typically foster for about 12 weeks. Adult cats and dogs will vary depending on their needs. When we have a foster, I typically spend a couple of hours each day taking care of and interacting with them. I enjoy interacting with the fosters, but the best part is hearing that they found a forever home.
Fostering makes me feel useful, since I am helping animals in need and providing them a chance to survive. Fostering dogs requires daily walks, but otherwise it does not require physical fitness. It brings the family together, since we all pitch in to take care of them.
Volunteering at the Humane Society of Berks County has given me a greater appreciation of what animals go through. If I did not volunteer, I would not have gained the insight on how much work and commitment is needed to run an animal rescue.
Volunteer here!
Humane Society of Berks County
Its mission is “to serve Berks County through education and outreach in the community, medical services for needy animals, humane investigation, safe shelter for homeless animals and strong sterilization and adoption programs to ensure that every companion animal lives in a safe, loving and secure home.” Call Leanne Quire: 610.921.2348, ext. 27. berkshumane.org.
Kyla Blakeney // Elementary Tutor
I volunteer at the 13th and Union Elementary school across the street from the Albright College campus. The volunteering program is through Albright and allows me to interact with children from kindergarten through fifth grade. I help them with their reading comprehension and homework in math, grammar and spelling. I have been volunteering twice a week since fall 2014; now a junior, I am there Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:40-3:45pm.
I started volunteering because I thought it would give me good experience with kids. I had some time and thought I should do something productive with my free hours.
I think the kids like to connect with people who are young themselves and are still learning. They appreciate getting the extra help with their homework and get a better understanding of reading and English. A lot of children at the school know English as a second language, and their parents at home don’t know English at all or know very little English. So I think that they get the extra help they need in English with a volunteer's one-on-one help. Teachers may not be able to help every kid in the classroom, so I think the kids like having someone sit there next to them and really going over and explaining everything they do not understand.
Personally, what I get out of volunteering is a sense of accomplishment and experience. Being able to make a difference in children’s lives makes me feel really good. There was a group of fifth graders that I helped my sophomore year, and they graduated from the elementary school. Now when I am walking through the community, I see them coming home from school, and they remember me and will say “Hi,” and I ask them, “How’s school?” They tell me that they are doing well and how much I helped them, and it really makes me feel good that they actually remember me and that I was able to help.
Volunteer here!
13th & Union Elementary School
Schools rely on community volunteers. Dorothea Miller coordinates the Albright College and 13th & Union Partnership, where literacy improvement is a core goal. For a brochure, or to donate, contact dmiller@albright.edu.
Doug Graybill // Veterans Making a Difference
I’m a Vietnam vet. I started helping veterans in 2009 when I got laid off. I had belonged to several veteran organizations and paid dues and all that, but I didn’t like to be with people or with crowds. At that time, the Red Cross asked for volunteers to deliver baskets to veterans, Marines, widows of veterans, and WWII people on low incomes. And I found that they needed companionship more than food.
My wife Liz and I — she’s Army, I’m Marine — did it together, started going to other meetings, heard about homeless vets. I said, “I’ll go out and find some homeless vets” and went hiking out. At first I just wanted to leave the food and go. But socializing is very important. In the old days, I’d say, “Here’s your lunch, or your socks, or your blanket.” That was in the old days. Then I started to talk to them, to see how they’re doing. I tell them, “We’re all friends.” I just say, “Hey, how are you?” and “What are your needs?”
Liz and I started Veterans Making a Difference, and now that’s what I’m doing 90 percent of the time. We also help those who are at risk of being homeless. You have homeless living on benches or in a tent or a tarp in the woods. That’s their home. But the at-risk-of-being-homeless population is huge. When we visit, we ask about the family. “Do you need diapers?” When we hand out diapers and the mom cries… It’s making a difference.
I’ve been homeless five times myself. It’s overwhelming. I hated myself so much. I used to get down on my knees and ask the police to please just shoot me. I’m so grateful the police didn’t shoot me. All that stress just beats you up mentally. And veterans don’t know who they can trust. They will trust other veterans. We’re just touching lives.
Volunteer here!
Veterans Making a Difference
Volunteers provide meals, blankets, coats and store gift cards; transport vets to health facilities; link veterans with local resources; socialize; mentor with BC Treatment Court; and are building a social center at Hope Rescue Mission. Contact 484.269.1874 or on FB. veteransmakingadifference.org
Here’s a live-longer, feel-good, enjoy-life secret that roughly one-fourth of Americans pursue year round. This health secret’s easy. No frills. No doctors. No magic pills. No gym. No special diet. And no one pursues it for selfish reasons. They do it for others.
Volunteering — that’s the secret. According to a burgeoning set of national and global studies, giving time, labor and talents to others has measurable mental, social, psychological and longevity benefits, especially for those who log about 100 hours a year. (See the latest research results in “Benefits of Volunteering” at nationalservice.gov.)
The Berks County individuals featured here were, without exception, surprised to hear that there are documented health benefits associated with their volunteer activities. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re cleaning up highways, counting birds for Hawk Mountain, fostering abandoned puppies, or bringing groceries to families whose paycheck doesn’t stretch far enough. What does matter is reaching out and doing volunteer work on a regular basis. That’s all.
Elaine Laws // Parish Visitor
I volunteer as a Parish visitor and hospital visitor for our church, Immanuel UCC. One week of every month I do hospital visits, and I make home visits several times a month, and more if called upon. I visit the hospital, nursing homes, rehab hospitals and homes or apartments — wherever people are.
I have been doing this for at least 15 years.
About 17 years ago, my husband's aunt and uncle who were in their 80s, living in their own home, with no children or living relatives other than some nieces and nephews scattered about, were experiencing difficulty managing on their own. We became their caregivers, making sure they had meals, doctor visits, barber and hair appointments, and help at their home. We helped them move into an assisted living facility near their home, sell their home, and give up their driver's licenses, and we continued helping with doctor and hospital appointments. During these 10 years, we became well aware of the difficulties in the aging process. We saw firsthand how hard it is to move into such a facility, giving up the home you built, the treasures you gathered over the years, and much of your independence.
Throughout this entire time, difficult as it was, they remained pleasant and grateful, laughing often, playing cards, and worshiping with an attitude of gratitude.
It is possible to grow old with dignity and grace. Caring for them made a strong impression on me. Also, visiting with one of our church members over the last 15 years in a nearby nursing facility has helped me realize how lonely some of these people are. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday, and it has been my pleasure to share and listen to her stories. It gives me a knowledge of just how lonely people are and how visiting adds to their lives. I am grateful for this opportunity, for I have learned that “he who loses his life in service to others, for My sake, will find it.” (Matthew 10:39) Aging is tough, but giving to others like this helps me to keep a positive attitude.
Volunteer here!
Immanuel UCC
Churches are a well-traveled avenue to volunteering. Elaine Laws explains: “Immanuel is very involved in outreach with mission trips, a soup kitchen, Family Promise, Walk to the Bridge (helping the homeless in Reading in partnership with Queen City), Bethany Children's Home, Opportunity House and a Gifts of the Arts series of music programs.” immanuel-ucc.org.
Kassie Flink and Family // Animal Aid
I’m 14 and my family and I help out at the Humane Society of Berks County. We assist with the registration table at various events and provide temporary housing for cats and dogs until they are able to be adopted. I’ve been doing this for about seven years.
The very first time, we fostered a mommy dog and her puppies. It was the first time I interacted with puppies from birth to 12 weeks old. It showed me that animals may be cute, but they require a lot of love and hard work. The time it takes depends on the type of fostering we are doing. We have had fosters stay with us from one week to three months. When we foster kittens, we usually have them for about one to two months. Puppies we typically foster for about 12 weeks. Adult cats and dogs will vary depending on their needs. When we have a foster, I typically spend a couple of hours each day taking care of and interacting with them. I enjoy interacting with the fosters, but the best part is hearing that they found a forever home.
Fostering makes me feel useful, since I am helping animals in need and providing them a chance to survive. Fostering dogs requires daily walks, but otherwise it does not require physical fitness. It brings the family together, since we all pitch in to take care of them.
Volunteering at the Humane Society of Berks County has given me a greater appreciation of what animals go through. If I did not volunteer, I would not have gained the insight on how much work and commitment is needed to run an animal rescue.
Volunteer here!
Humane Society of Berks County
Its mission is “to serve Berks County through education and outreach in the community, medical services for needy animals, humane investigation, safe shelter for homeless animals and strong sterilization and adoption programs to ensure that every companion animal lives in a safe, loving and secure home.” Call Leanne Quire: 610.921.2348, ext. 27. berkshumane.org.
Kyla Blakeney // Elementary Tutor
I volunteer at the 13th and Union Elementary school across the street from the Albright College campus. The volunteering program is through Albright and allows me to interact with children from kindergarten through fifth grade. I help them with their reading comprehension and homework in math, grammar and spelling. I have been volunteering twice a week since fall 2014; now a junior, I am there Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:40-3:45pm.
I started volunteering because I thought it would give me good experience with kids. I had some time and thought I should do something productive with my free hours.
I think the kids like to connect with people who are young themselves and are still learning. They appreciate getting the extra help with their homework and get a better understanding of reading and English. A lot of children at the school know English as a second language, and their parents at home don’t know English at all or know very little English. So I think that they get the extra help they need in English with a volunteer's one-on-one help. Teachers may not be able to help every kid in the classroom, so I think the kids like having someone sit there next to them and really going over and explaining everything they do not understand.
Personally, what I get out of volunteering is a sense of accomplishment and experience. Being able to make a difference in children’s lives makes me feel really good. There was a group of fifth graders that I helped my sophomore year, and they graduated from the elementary school. Now when I am walking through the community, I see them coming home from school, and they remember me and will say “Hi,” and I ask them, “How’s school?” They tell me that they are doing well and how much I helped them, and it really makes me feel good that they actually remember me and that I was able to help.
Volunteer here!
13th & Union Elementary School
Schools rely on community volunteers. Dorothea Miller coordinates the Albright College and 13th & Union Partnership, where literacy improvement is a core goal. For a brochure, or to donate, contact dmiller@albright.edu.
Doug Graybill // Veterans Making a Difference
I’m a Vietnam vet. I started helping veterans in 2009 when I got laid off. I had belonged to several veteran organizations and paid dues and all that, but I didn’t like to be with people or with crowds. At that time, the Red Cross asked for volunteers to deliver baskets to veterans, Marines, widows of veterans, and WWII people on low incomes. And I found that they needed companionship more than food.
My wife Liz and I — she’s Army, I’m Marine — did it together, started going to other meetings, heard about homeless vets. I said, “I’ll go out and find some homeless vets” and went hiking out. At first I just wanted to leave the food and go. But socializing is very important. In the old days, I’d say, “Here’s your lunch, or your socks, or your blanket.” That was in the old days. Then I started to talk to them, to see how they’re doing. I tell them, “We’re all friends.” I just say, “Hey, how are you?” and “What are your needs?”
Liz and I started Veterans Making a Difference, and now that’s what I’m doing 90 percent of the time. We also help those who are at risk of being homeless. You have homeless living on benches or in a tent or a tarp in the woods. That’s their home. But the at-risk-of-being-homeless population is huge. When we visit, we ask about the family. “Do you need diapers?” When we hand out diapers and the mom cries… It’s making a difference.
I’ve been homeless five times myself. It’s overwhelming. I hated myself so much. I used to get down on my knees and ask the police to please just shoot me. I’m so grateful the police didn’t shoot me. All that stress just beats you up mentally. And veterans don’t know who they can trust. They will trust other veterans. We’re just touching lives.
Volunteer here!
Veterans Making a Difference
Volunteers provide meals, blankets, coats and store gift cards; transport vets to health facilities; link veterans with local resources; socialize; mentor with BC Treatment Court; and are building a social center at Hope Rescue Mission. Contact 484.269.1874 or on FB. veteransmakingadifference.org
By Marian Frances Wolbers | Photos by Heidi Reuter
