People who are experiencing winter blues or cabin fever should try to do a little volunteering suggests an official with the Prince George Council of Seniors (PGCOS).
"Volunteering is good for people because it releases those feel-good chemicals that reduce stress, depression and even physical pain," said Lola-Dawn Fennell, PGCOS manager.
Research shows that volunteering also reduces aging, provides socializing and networking opportunities as well as being a good way to give back to the community you live in.
"We consider our volunteers our most valuable resources and we absolutely depend on them for all our programs and services ranging from outreach programs to computer instruction.
"How else could we deliver about 6,000 meals-on-wheels each year or prepare more than 100 hampers each December," said Fennell.
PGCOS always has a number of areas to utilize volunteers.
There's a big need for drivers to operate the five-passenger outreach van donated in 2009 to PGCOS by Norgate Autobody.
"If we had more volunteer drivers, we could expand the use of the van in the community such as our wheels-to-meals program." (Wheels to meals focuses on bringing seniors to a social setting for a meal.)
Right now, the outreach program has about 12 seniors waiting for volunteers to spend one-on-one time with them for about two hours a week.
"The volunteers are matched up with seniors who would enjoy doing activities together, like playing cards or games, scrapbooking, mall walking, having coffee, shopping or just visiting," said Fennell.
"Sometimes the outreach volunteer may be an isolated senior's only social contact during the week."
The Citizen spoke to a group of outreach volunteers of all ages who met for lunch Friday at PGCOS to ask questions and share experiences and stories.
Hanna Merz has been volunteering since the program began 20 years ago, and during that time she's visited a number of different clients.
"When I started I felt like they were my grandparents, but not so much anymore," said Merz, whose story showed how volunteering with seniors can be a good thing for younger people with no older support members in their family.
Bob Collison, who has volunteered for 13 years, said most of his male clients have always liked to go for coffee and for drives just to get out.
One of his clients happened to be a former barber like himself, so they always had plenty of stories to share.
Alice McCaffrey said her client, who is more than 100 years old, never ceases to amaze her because of her keen mind and memory.
"She plays bridge and can tell me great stories right back to her childhood," said McCaffrey.
Retired engineer J.C. Bottaro not only volunteers in the Outreach Program, but also fits into the the council's Handyman Program in which volunteers do light tasks like moving boxes, changing light bulbs or lawn work for seniors.
Nellie Pike is 88 years old, but she's a faithful volunteer who makes outreach phone calls to 22 seniors on a weekly basis.
"We talk about most everything and share stories. Sometimes they have things to report. Most are lonely; some not feeling so well," said Pike, who spends five to 10 minutes with each one.
"If we had more volunteers, we could spend more time with each," she said of those who are not prepared to have volunteers in their home, but need some social contact.
Volunteers also plan and organize monthly workshops, seminars and special speakers at PGCOS to provide education on senior issues, information on community resources and networking opportunities.
The demand for volunteers is growing and will continue to do so as people live longer and stay longer in their own homes, said Fennell.
Pick up volunteer packages at PGCOS office, 1055 Fifth Ave, (under the parkade), call 250-564-5888 or e-mail: [email protected].
PGCOS is made up of 14 member organizations which include the five senior activity centres in the city.
