 Home | Recent News | Parsons | Manor Calls for Volunteers | Printme 01 May 2007 Presbyterian Manor issues a call for volunteers Wanted: Volunteers of various ages with a desire to give of their time and talents to help enrich the lives of Presbyterian Manor residents. Prior experience helpful, but not required. Positive attitude and fun-loving personality preferred. Desire to make a difference in the lives of others required.
It’s National Volunteer Month and Mark Johnston, marketing director for Presbyterian Manor of Parsons, is issuing a call for local volunteers interested in working with an interesting group of seniors.
“We can use volunteers from the community who are interested in things like teaching art classes, supervising outings for residents, as well as conducting current events discussions and other activities that would provide mental stimulation for our residents,” he says. If potential volunteers have other ideas for activities or classes, Johnston is open to hearing from those individuals.
“We’ve had volunteers in the past,’ he explains, “but we’ve reached a point where we need to recruit some new folks who want to work with seniors.”
A survey by the Independent Sector, a national organization that works with nonprofit groups, indicates that 55.5% of American adults volunteer yearly, while a whopping 89.5% of people who are asked to volunteer do give of their time. So Johnston is asking and hopes to get a good response.
Today’s volunteers come in all age groups, teens to elders. The Administration on Aging indicates that over 26 million senior citizens in the country have discovered the sense of purpose and accomplishment that comes from doing volunteer work. Some of today’s residents at the Manor have done their share of that volunteer work in their churches, hospitals, and other community venues.
There is more than personal satisfaction to gain from helping others, too. Research indicates those who volunteer may be adding years to their lives. University of Michigan researchers have found a remarkable link between volunteer work and longevity. By surveying some 1200 adults over 65 in l986 and checking up on them eight years later, researchers found that those who volunteered at least 40 hours each year to a single cause were 40% more likely than non-volunteers to be alive at the end of the study.
And adds the Administration on Aging, the demand for older volunteers is increasing dramatically. No matter what your age, if you have hours to spare, the Manor can use your talents, says Johnston. “We’d like to hear from you.”
Johnston can be reached at 620-421-1450 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at mjohnston@pmma.org.
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