<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4EbX7w_1GwmjS6z00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4EbX7w_1GwmjS6z00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Photo / Hasan Albari / Pexels</figcaption></figure>More than 30 million baby boomers are estimated to retire between 2024 and 2030, but that doesn’t mean they have to slow down. There are many volunteer opportunities to keep these new retirees active in the community while giving back.Volunteer opportunities come in all shapes, sizes, lengths and interests, accoding to Kirsten Frei-Herrmann, program director at Greater Cleveland Volunteers, which connects 150 nonprofits to volunteers.“We have hundreds of opportunities that boomers can connect with,” she said. “It could be anything from arts and culture to hunger, the environment, education and social services.”While some nonprofits are looking for long-term volunteers, others are looking for people to staff events such as fundraising walks and runs, Frei-Herrmann said. For example, a nonprofit is currently seeking volunteers for a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway on Nov. 21 and ia toy giveaway in December needs help, too, she said.“You are the boots on the ground helping make that event successful,” Frei-Herrmann said.Check the events calendar at greaterclevelandvolunteers/volunteer org for all upcoming events that need staffed.With so many volunteer opportunities available, Frei-Herrmann urged baby boomers to narrow it down by considering their own interests and availability.“What are they passionate about, how often are they able to volunteer, do they want something that is flexible,” she noted as factors to consider.Frei-Herrmann said baby boomers are most commonly interested in education and youth activities to build and mentor the next generation, arts and culture, and hunger programs such as Meals on Wheels. For many, it’s a chance to experience something unrelated to their careers that they were always interested in, she said.“For many people it ignites a passion,” she added. “It gives them something to do once they retire. It gives them a purpose.”For example, someone who worked in an office might have wanted to teach. The AARP Foundation Experience Corps is a program for tutoring early readers, Frei-Herrmann said.However, children aren’t the only ones who benefit. There are a lot of health benefits for volunteers.Research in recent years has shown that volunteers experience an increase in their physical health due to being more active, such as a reduction in chronic diseases and blood pres-sure, Frei-Herrmann said.“Volunteers experience lower rates of depression and anxiety, and they have greater life sat-isfaction because they’re socially engaged, they’re not isolated,” she added.Getting started is easy, she said. Visit the website, email contact@greaterclevelandvolunteers or call 216-391-9500.There is typically no cost to volunteer, but volunteers might have to pay to park in some locations. A virtual call for new volunteers will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10 via Zoom.Shannon Mortland is a frelance journalist.</div></body>

Block Source: Cleveland Jewish News

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More than 30 million baby boomers are estimated to retire between 2024 and 2030, but that doesn’t mean they have to slow down. There are many volunteer opportunities to keep these new retirees active in the community while giving back. Volunteer opportunities come in all shapes, sizes, lengths and...

Volunteering can fill void in retirement

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More than 30 million baby boomers are estimated to retire between 2024 and 2030, but that doesn’t mean they have to slow down. There are many volunteer opp

Volunteering can fill void in retirement

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