Volunteers
Finally, researchers have turned up a discovery that’s good for our health. It’s called community volunteering.
Helping others, say the experts, can have a positive effect on how we feel about ourselves. According to published studies, regular volunteering can even extend our life spans. It seems that people really do need contact with others to stay healthy.
But, of course, the real experts, the 12,000 or so seniors, who annually volunteer nearly 4 million community-service hours in Southern California, already know that. What they may not realize as foster grandparents, senior companions or volunteers with the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) is how much they are needed and valued.
That’s why we here at ACTION, the federal umbrella agency for these programs, ask your readers to join us during May, Older Americans Month, to salute all volunteers above 60. Through their unselfish and important good works they remind us that when we help others, everyone benefits.
RICARDO E. GERAKOS
California State Program Director
ACTION
Los Angeles
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