National Volunteer Week

Happy National Volunteer Week

More than 850 volunteers walked through the sliding glass doors at Serving Seniors this past year. Some volunteer with a group, some come on their own, and some squeeze in time during their lunch break. Just like the senior members we serve, each volunteer is unique, bringing something special to the Serving Seniors community.  

National Volunteer Week is celebrated from April 19-25, 2020, and is a time for Serving Seniors to celebrate 50 years of community members generously supporting our organization. This marks 50 years of friendships and intergenerational connections, stories shared and laughs rang out, and – cannot forget to mention – Bingo games played! A heartfelt thank you to all youth groups, individuals, senior members, students, businesses and corporations, and philanthropists who have given their time to make a positive impact in the senior community. 

A lasting volunteer bond is with mother-daughter philanthropy group National Charity League (NCL), San Dieguito Chapter. As members of NCL, Allison Lippoldt and her daughter volunteered with Serving Seniors for 6 years; from the time Allison’s daughter was 12-years-old until she left for college. They were involved with many opportunities from serving lunch, throwing Halloween and Valentine’s parties, and hosting Bingo games.  

Allison noticed the growth opportunities her daughter experienced while interacting with the seniors.  

“Volunteering for Serving Seniors has provided the young members of our NCL chapter the opportunity to work with an age group they may have never been exposed to,” she said. “It has given many of the young NCL members the opportunity to develop their public speaking skills, has taught them how to organize and carry out events, and to interact with large groups of people.” 

Above all, their favorite part was hearing stories about the seniors’ lives and families. 

Liberty Mutual Insurance has been an active corporate-volunteer partner for 18 years. They have helped by serving meals, donated items for homeless prevention, and spread holiday cheer by passing out candy canes.  

Most recently, the Liberty Mutual group was set to host a Bingo Extravaganza at one of the Serving Seniors apartment complexes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, it was in the best health and safety interests of all to cancel the event.  

Knowing how saddening this decision was for the seniors and volunteers, they still wanted to show their support. Liberty Mutual generously contributed a $1,000 grant to support Serving Seniors’ emergency actions during a time of crisis.  

Finally, many senior members involved in Serving Seniors also devote their time to volunteering, like Fred Davis. Fred got connected in 2008 through homeless outreach and serving meals, and has always volunteered with a full heart and positive sense of humor. 

Today Fred helps by directing lunch services, providing tech support in Bud and Esther’s Cyber Café, welcoming new volunteers, and leading as president of the Civic Engagement Committee.  

“For any opportunities that come before me that allow me to help, I consider myself blessed,” Fred explained. “I am thankful every day when I get up that I have Serving Seniors – a place to go every day.” 

Serving Seniors is humbled and grateful for the robust community support. Happy National Volunteer Week to all helping hands! You can volunteer, too. We are seeking help for our COVID-19 pandemic response efforts. For more information, please contact Elle Leidy at elle.leidy@servingseniors.org.