A Lifetime of Service: How Every Generation Can Give Back: Volunteering is for ALL Ages

Think you are too old? Too young? Think you do not have enough knowledge? Think you can’t learn something new?

Well, think again. You are never too old, or too young, and you have more knowledge than you think you do!

Volunteering is an opportunity to get involved with people and your community.

If you can talk, have a phone, walk, drive, smile, you are in! I have been volunteering my whole adult life in California, and now, I am proud to say, as a resident of Beaverton for the last 23 years.

Volunteering brings a lot of joy to those you serve, and also for your own self-worth. You are helping in so many ways by just listening, shopping for groceries, delivering groceries, helping to package large amounts of produce to distribute to a food pantry, and having conversations with folks who don’t have the ability or a way to get out into their community.

As we grow older, we might feel or believe that we can’t contribute anything to a community anymore. Or maybe it is because we think we are too young and are not smart enough to get involved. You are very wrong.

We all have the ability to give some of our time and ”knowledge” to a multitude of great organizations that really rely on volunteers! You are welcomed, valued, and appreciated not only by the organization you are involved with, but also by the actual folks you are helping out.

Here are some of the non-profits/organizations that I have personally been involved with:

The Oregon Food Bank
Washington County Libraries (with 16 locations)
The City of Beaverton (which has several committees that are made up of volunteers)
Store to Door (with locations in Beaverton and Portland)
Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals (OFOSA)
and Forward Stride

There are so many more opportunities, so do not let age prevent you from moving forward and volunteering. I have been volunteering my whole adult life, and it is very fulfilling. I do feel needed and appreciated.

There are lots of ways to find different opportunities. Go online and search for either of these two options: