From left to right: JR Lewis, KTVF; Joe Torma, Greenstar of Interior Alaska; Julie Swisher, American Red Cross; Maddy Stokes, Rural CAP (Americorps Seniors); Jim Warren, MASST; Anne Weaver, Fairbanks Community Food Bank; Jon Tollerud, The Salvation Army.
For two days in May, the arena of the Carlson Center in Fairbanks was alive with seniors. On May 7, more than 400 seniors attended the Senior Recognition Day luncheon hosted by the Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks & Recreation Department and the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission. On May 8, hundreds of seniors took part in the Healthy Living Summit, strolling from one vendor to another, gathering information about topics like safe, affordable housing; transportation and walkability; social and civic activities; fitness, nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle. Presentations and demonstrations ran all day on Friday, from HomeFit Guidance and fall prevention to tai chi and yoga. There was a constant hubbub of voices, laughter, and snatches of conversation.
One presentation, titled "The Ripple Effect of Volunteering," featured six leaders of volunteer organizations, both state and local. JR Lewis was the emcee, using his skills as an interviewer for KTVF to keep the conversation moving among the panelists and the 20 or so people in the audience. As the panelists spoke, major themes emerged. The organizations all focus on community service, and most depend on volunteers for much of the work they do. The Fairbanks Community Food Bank, for instance, provided 3 million pounds of food last year to people in need, and they had 2,000 volunteers work to process donations. The American Red Cross work force is 90% volunteers, responding to emergencies, greeting service members, and working with other agencies in relief aid. The Salvation Army thrift store works especially with seniors as volunteers, sorting donations and preparing them for shoppers. Greenstar of Interior Alaska operates two recycling facilities, mainly run by volunteers. The two other organizations, Rural Community Action Program (AmeriCorps Seniors) and MASST (Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training), recruit seniors to volunteer at community agencies and schools, in return for a modest stipend or wage.
A major message from the leaders was gratitude for the volunteers.
"Time is our most precious commodity," noted one panelist. For every agency, the volunteers' time is a valuable gift, and any amount of giving is deeply appreciated. It's important to tell the volunteers directly and often how much they are helping. "What you do matters," says one leader to her volunteers. Another calls her volunteers to thank them for their work. A third notes his motto: Food, Fellowship, Family. The result is that volunteers often form a meaningful community within the organization. Everyone understands that seniors may need to take a break because of health issues or other commitments, and any time one can give is welcome.
Simple acts create big effects. Several years ago, a third-grader helped her mom put together food boxes on a Saturday morning, and now that child has become a school nurse. An elder in the Rural CAP program decided to take excess food items donated to a school to make new dishes for congregant meals in the Senior Companion Program. A volunteer found himself becoming general manager of the nonprofit agency. Now he tells his volunteers, "You guys saved my life."
Senior volunteers get to interact with younger folks, teaching and learning together. Some young people may be court-ordered to volunteer, and seniors can become mentors or form a meaningful friendship with them. In some cases, the experience leads them to continue volunteering on their own. Organizations recruit volunteers by spreading the word through their long-time volunteers. They support their volunteers by making them feel appreciated, heard, and effective. They create fun events, as simple as a birthday party or a cookout for staff and volunteers to celebrate the work they do.
A key word for the experience of volunteering might be reciprocity. The ripple effects run both ways, from the organizations to the volunteers and from the volunteers to the organizations. Audience members noted that in their experience as volunteers, they received as much as they gave. They broke out of their comfort zone and found a place to make an impact in the community. It wasn't really about the birthday cake or the roasted hot dogs. It was about relationships, the back and forth. They felt a strong sense of filling a need, and then they got a second, warm feeling of fulfillment.
Jim Warren is the MASST coordinator for Northern and Interior regions, based in Fairbanks.
