Come and Join the 'Master Class'

The most recent study of Canadians who volunteer their time and energy in their communities shows us that 58% of seniors are involved in informal volunteer activities outside the home. That is a lot of hours of community support! Over 800,000 Canadians, or more than 23% of our senior population, are participating in activities that deeply enrich the quality of life in their towns and cities. They average 4 hours per week on these various tasks, which translates into a dollar value of over $2 billion annually. I would say that these good people are certainly paying their way! In real dollars out of pocket they are also present and accounted for as 80% of seniors donate to at least one charity. The members of this generation have carried the values of their childhood into their retirement years with results that are beginning to be noticed by social scientists as well as grateful citizens. (and about time, too). In sporting terms we'd put these people in the 'Master Class' of volunteers. They run each and every senior centre and Legion, teach Sunday School and co-ordinate all manner of Senior Games. They lend a hand at Residential Care homes, teach crafts and arrange outings. They drive folks to and from doctor's offices and hospitals. They deliver Meals on Wheels and make house calls to shut-ins. However, they don't only help their own generation and as this is the month for 'back to school' it seemed appropriate to comment on that. Their enthusiasm for community work with the younger generation is receiving more attention and even government support (long overdue) and may be, in fact, their most important legacy. At a time when it takes two working adults to support a home, many traditional children's programs are having to shut their doors. Thousands of kids continue to sign up and show an interest only to be told that there are no leaders this year - maybe next year. Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Boys and Girls Clubs and church youth groups are all chasing down retired friends and neighbors and welcoming them back as an old friend or introducing them to a program they may have missed out on in their own youth. Guiding and Scouting are only two examples of activities where these 'Masters' may not realize yet how much they have to offer. They have the skills for camp cooking, woodcraft, bird watching, canoeing, etc. They know knitting and crochet and how to build a bird house (from scratch). Many of the quite ordinary skills that our generation took for granted are not being passed on, as working parents often have no spare time, or are simply too tired. So take heart - the skills we have 'mastered' are in demand again! Attend a cooking class for kids of the 'nuke and puke' generation and, once you stop laughing, you'll see eyes widen in a genuine appreciation of what food tastes like when made from fresh, local ingredients. If you love to cook there is a Boys and Girls Club that is waiting to hear from you. In addition to our 'hands on' skills, we 'know' things - we actually know a lot! All those curious artifacts in the local museums that puzzle the youngsters are often the toys, tools and machines that we grew up with. We can tell the stories of how the iceman would bring a giant block of ice once a week for the icebox that was our fridge. We remember when the few people who had a phone shared a line with neighbors and we all had our own' ring'. We understand the significance of an empty coke bottle with a sprinkler head for a cork. Volunteer to lead a school group through your local museum and you'll be pleasantly amazed at how smart you are! You will also be pleasantly surprised at how really curious the kids are and how much they appreciate someone taking the time to work with them. Physically active 'masters' willing to lead their troops on wilderness hikes are always in demand, of course, but the quieter members of our community have an equally important role to play. Any primary teacher will tell you that they can pick out, in only a few weeks, the students who spend time with an older adult, whether it is a grandparent or family friend. These kids are calmer, quieter, listen better and have a longer attention span. Adults who play this role in the life of a young child will leave a real legacy in hearts and minds. Our local schools are always looking for 'master listeners' who will sit patiently and encourage a young reader's first stumbling attempts. We have' mastered' the art of patience and we can listen to 'Green Eggs and Ham' over and over again.

 

< Prev		Next >