Make A Positive Impact On Your Community and Yourself

Volunteering not only benefits those who the organizations serve, but also those who are volunteering. Spending time volunteering and giving back to the community is a great way to improve your health, relationships, skills and more–especially among older adults. We encourage residents at our 55 plus communities in Texas to explore volunteer opportunities and incorporate them into their regular schedules. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of volunteering for seniors, as well as some local organizations to volunteer at!

Benefits of Volunteering

There are so many benefits of volunteering, but here are just a few:

• Socialization: Many volunteer opportunities serve as great instances for socialization. There are often large groups of people volunteering, allowing you to mingle and meet new people. Plus, many organizations encourage you to bring a group to volunteer with. You could enjoy the company of fellow residents, or reconnect with family and old friends by inviting them to join you. Overall, the socialization aspect can reduce loneliness and isolation, which are common occurrences among seniors.
• Physical Activity: Another benefit of volunteering is that it gets you moving, and we all know how important exercise is to our health! Volunteer opportunities require varying amounts of physical activity, allowing you to pick something that aligns with your capabilities.
• Mood-Boost: Engaging in volunteering is also great for your mental health–it’s mood-boosting! Seniors who volunteer can enjoy an increased sense of purpose, accomplishment, connection to the community and more.
• Learn Skills: By volunteering at various organizations, seniors can learn many soft and hard skills by trying new activities. They may learn how to teach, complete clerical tasks, package foods, or serve meals, among many other things.

Who knew there were so many benefits of volunteering? Now that you know, keep reading to learn about volunteer opportunities that are local to our communities in Texas: The Clairmont, The Continental, Brook Ridge, and The Gardens at Brook Ridge.

Volunteer Near The Clairmont and The Continental in Austin, TX

• Keep Austin Beautiful: Sign up for beautification and cleanup events around Austin! This is a great way to help clean the community, meet others, and get some exercise.
• Helping Hand Home for Children: From reading bedtime stories to helping with recreational activities, there are many volunteer opportunities at this residential childcare agency, which provides a safe haven for children who are healing from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment.
• Central Texas Food Bank: Grab some friends on a weekday or weeknight to help prepare food donations for distribution, or distribute food at mobile food pantries, with the Central Texas Food Bank.
• United Way Austin: Help improve the Greater Austin community through education, financial stability and health with United Way Austin through its variety of available volunteer opportunities for different causes.

Volunteer Near Brook Ridge and The Gardens at Brook Ridge in Pharr, TX

• Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley: For every 1 hour volunteered at the Food Bank of RGV, 105 meals are provided! It offers many volunteer opportunities, from packing boxes, to bagging fresh produce, to restocking shelves.
• Make-A-Wish® Rio Grande Valley: Help make wishes for children with critical illnesses come true, such as learning how to surf or meeting a celebrity, with Make-A-Wish® Rio Grande Valley. This organization offers a variety of opportunities, such as events volunteering, office volunteering, and outreach volunteering.
• Comfort for Critters: Volunteer from home with Comfort for Critters. The organization is looking for volunteers to create handmade blankets to comfort homeless pets living in local animal shelters–tutorials are provided on the website!

With the many benefits that come with volunteering, as well as the plethora of opportunities, there’s no doubt that everyone can, and should, volunteer in some form. At our over 55 communities in Texas, we are always happy to provide transportation for our residents to the many local volunteer opportunities, as well as assist and provide at-home volunteer options.

Contact our friendly team today to learn more about Sunshine Retirement Living communities in Texas

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