Retiree looking to volunteer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, everyone's experiences may vary, but I would advise to temper your expectations about volunteerism and be prepared you may have to try several/many organizations before you find a good fit.

I've done volunteering in elder care, youth support, historic venue, animal shelters and music/arts promotion.

Not all of them are created equal. Some organizations just don't have the bandwidth to manage volunteers successfully. Others have a distinct "pecking order" and can be clannish, leaving newcomers essentially standing on the sidelines and ignored.

I eventually found a couple of good causes where I feel like I'm being useful, and hope you will have similar luck.

This has been my experience as well.

This brings back a memory. I once signed up to volunteer with an organization whose mission was meaningful to me. I showed up, and my “boss” was an intern who asked me to “decorate” large cardboard boxes by gluing pieces of colored printer paper to them, and then left me alone, with no idea how to find the restroom or get out of the building. Big lesson learned that day—make sure you know what you’re signing up for!

[Anonymous]

What do you like/enjoy?

If you like pets, most animal shelters need volunteers.
If you like kids, there are many schools that need lunch monitors, crossing guards, and volunteers for school events.
If you like driving, there are a number of volunteer programs that need volunteers to drive the elderly to doctors appts, shopping, etc.
Hospitals need volunteers to man the visitor's desk, to help distribute flowers that are sent, to help run errands around the hospital.
If you like reading, many senior centers still take volunteers to read books or letters to residents
Are there institutions that you like? Many institutions need volunteer guides or information center staff. I know some seniors (not in the DC metro area) who volunteer at museums.
If you like driving and visiting, places like Food and Friends, Meals on Wheels and other food charities need people to drive meals to clients
If you like talking on the phone, there are a number of charities that either operate a call center or do calls for donations.

For most people, you start with what you are interested in and that will help you to find a volunteering opportunity that you will enjoy and want to stick with.

[Anonymous]

Volunteers are needed! https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/12/09/volunteer-decline-homeless-pandemic/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, everyone's experiences may vary, but I would advise to temper your expectations about volunteerism and be prepared you may have to try several/many organizations before you find a good fit.

I've done volunteering in elder care, youth support, historic venue, animal shelters and music/arts promotion.

Not all of them are created equal. Some organizations just don't have the bandwidth to manage volunteers successfully. Others have a distinct "pecking order" and can be clannish, leaving newcomers essentially standing on the sidelines and ignored.

I eventually found a couple of good causes where I feel like I'm being useful, and hope you will have similar luck.

This has been my experience as well.

I have gotten sucked into doing volunteer work for a non-profit organization and ended up being the “key” person when I didn’t really want to spend that much time on it. It was like a full-time, unpaid job. So I am happier doing once-a-week or twice-a-month volunteer jobs with flexibility so I don’t get burned out.

[Anonymous]

Women Giving Back in Sterling is a great organization with regular needs.

[Anonymous]

I volunteer with homeward trails.