Dennis Erby

Dennis Erby, a retired Mississippi state trooper, says volunteering helps him get to know people he might not have otherwise met.

When Sam Martinez retired after more than two decades with the U.S. Postal Service, he was worried that he would find himself in his house with nothing to do. With the kids gone and the last piece of cake eaten at his retirement party, it didn't take him long to realize that he needed to find something to fill his days.

Through a friend, he learned of volunteer opportunities at the Salvation Army, and he soon got busy sorting through piles of donated clothes, linens and furniture. As it turned out, "This was a wonderful way for me to get out of the house and into a job that has meaning -- that serves as a way to help others," says Martinez, who is 60. He also volunteers at a Methodist church and with several agencies that he linked up with through United Way. "I'm busier now than I was when I worked full-time," he beams.

Forging new social connections

Many volunteers, especially boomers, want to know that what they do is meaningful, says Melodye Kleinman, president of the National Association of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) directors in Los Angeles. "The benefits of volunteering have been well documented; volunteers benefit greatly from being actively engaged. But my experience, also, is that they just enjoy being around others. They are creating an extended family," she explains.

Dennis Erby, a 55-year-old retired Mississippi state trooper, echoes Martinez's view, claiming that part of the joy of volunteering is meeting people whom he probably would not otherwise get to know. "It's one thing when you hear about a person, but it's another thing when you serve on a board with them," Erby says. "You get to really know them because you're working for a common cause."

Erby volunteers for several organizations, including the Columbus Convention and Visitor's Bureau. He serves as vice president of the Lowndes County Port Authority and as chairman of the deacon board for the United Christian Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus. In addition, he is a charter member of the 100 Black Men of Columbus, a mentoring organization for area youth.

"When you sit down and really talk to people, you find out we all basically want the same thing: a safe environment, to educate our children. We're really not that far apart," says Erby.

More important as you age

As people age, volunteering can play an even more vital role, Kleinman says. For older seniors, it provides a way to remain part of a community. RSVP administers about 750 RSVP programs with 500,000 volunteers nationwide, who work at hospitals, assist the homebound, do tax counseling, help detective bureaus with clerical work, and much more.

When people first retire, they try to do all those things they longed to do while they were working, Kleinman explains. They might spend a couple of years traveling and remodeling the house. "But at some point, you say to yourself, 'Everything is done, what do I do now?' and then seek out something to stay engaged. It's self-preservation. In the work environment, you have a whole range of connections. Now you're retired, and all that is gone. Some people want to replicate that experience," she says.

An adult education

For Frances Jutman, now 79, having nothing to do when she left work was very stressful. That's why she accepted a part-time job at a bank just three days after she retired in 1992. The work left her enough time to volunteer, which is "where I got my education," Jutman says. "It's Life University 101. When you work with volunteers, you work with the nicest people in town."

When Jutman first volunteered for United Way, she began by helping the YMCA raise money. Now, she now serves on the United Way board and as treasurer for The Lowndes County Alumni Association of Mississippi University for Women. "One of those (self-help) books I read said you can do anything you want in life if you don't care who gets credit for it. I guess I've helped every organization in this town raise funds," she says.

"In the beginning, I probably did it for the wrong reason," she admits, noting that she used her volunteering to market herself at the bank. "But you do it, and your reason falls into place. I think it broadens you and gives you a better perspective to what you should be doing in life. I discovered that when you give, you get it back. I should know that because it says it in the Bible. It does; it actually works that way."

Want to volunteer?

If you are looking for a great way to do useful work, meet new people, and learn new skills, you may be able to find opportunities right where you live. Check with your religious organization, or choose a problem you want to work on (illiteracy, homelessness, animal neglect, child abuse, whatever gets you angry) and call organizations that help deal with that problem.

If you're having trouble finding the right opportunity, here are some organizations that can help you get started.

Senior Corps: This organization connects those 55 and older with the people and organizations that need them most. It provides opportunities to become a mentor, coach, or companion to people in need, or to contribute job skills and expertise to community projects and organizations. This site also has links to state RSVP programs under the "Our Programs" section.

United Way: This site provides a range of options for community volunteer work, so you can find opportunities that match your skills and interests.

American Red Cross: Volunteers provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.