When I retired I did volunteer work and loved it.

Did volunteer work in the educational dept of the zoo.
Lucked up and got to take an African safari with the zoo director.

Also at the local hospital: delivered complimentary birth certificates to families of newborns. Fun experience.

We've enjoyed so many different volunteer opportunities over the years. A few have included: the usual PTA/school/4-H stuff; visiting and running activites at nursing homes; raising guide dog puppies for the Seeing Eye; volunteering at the local AIDs baby hospice; making sure local families who had hit hard times had a nice Christmas; working with inner city kids to teach them about respecting and protecting their environment... I know there were others, but it's hard to recall them all.

Other things I'd like to do, but haven't yet had the opportunity--supplying dinner for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald's house, volunteering at the zoo and/or local children's museum. At the moment, the top of my list, though, would be to volunteer in the court system. I'm holding off on that, though, since we're going to be moving several counties away, hopefullly within the year. My aunt volunteered at the county library for many years. My mother was active in her town's historical society.

I think, though, when making your decision, it's important to choose something that's a passion with you--something you really love doing. Maybe something you've never had the chance to get involved with in the past.

I do, Socks, or rather did.....it seems that I don't do as much as I used to do and not nearly as much as I should. I volunteered at Red Cross (the chapter not the blood region) for nearly 20 years and loved every minute of it. I did everything from working on fundraising events (a dinner dance, mini stockcar race, a cornfield maze and much more), worked on service to military (taking emergency calls to get emergency leave for the military men and women), and they also need office workers for manning phones, filing, typing, receptionist duties....

Most nonprofits have similar needs, and all of them have need for fundraising assistance if you enjoy planning events! Right now I am working with a historical cemetery, we are restoring the gardens. For many years I worked with our downtown partnership, among the events we planned was the resurrection of the Christmas parade and Light Up Night.

I have to find a cause I believe in and then find an area I love (like the gardening) that way I enjoy the work and we all benefit!

I also read to my GS's third grade class and that was a higlight.

Got to sit in a rocking chair and read to the kiddies.

Of course, my grandson was so proud to have his grandmother in the classroom once a week.

As our kids grew up, we volunteered alot--Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church, driving, being leaders, PTA, church,etc and worked full time. Then after kids left home, and we were burned out, we traveled. Moved and now we have done some more but at a senior level..
Like several have said, it is something you feel fun doing, not because your feel that you 'need" to do, or be pushed into.

I'll be honest here, although I'm sure to be slammed.

I do not enjoy working in groups. I do not enjoy children for the most part. I hate most organized charitable events. I never did the room-mother, PTA, or any of those school things. I did do bake sales, meaning I baked, but not where I had to man a booth.

I do not apologize for any of it. I have worked behind the scenes at my son's school while he was there.

So my "later-life" volunteering will be solitary for the most part, too.

Now I make Quilts of Valor for wounded soldiers. It is a solitary activity, but I find it rewarding. And my son has said he is proud of this. That's all I will ever need.

I volunteered for years with the Alberta Lung Association. I did whatever event or fund raiser they had going on. I now volunteer for the Youth Emergency Shelter, working beer gardens, bingos, casinos etc. When I retire, I plan to volunteer at the hospital as a "rocking granny", rocking the babies in the ward. I don't have money to donate, but I can sure donate my time.

I'm certainly not going to slam you Mary. Working behind the scenes is very important too. Volunteering in groups can be very trying at times.

I used to make time volunteering for vaious community events. Now, my health is no longer permitting me to do those community services. But once in awhile, I get a chance to help my neighbors out and that made me feel sooo useful still!

Volunteer is such hard work and yet so rewarding. You can also volunteer at local festival events, museums, zoo, etc..

When I retired 6 years ago, I knew I didn't want to have to be at a certain place at a certain time, so I started crocheting, after many years not doing it. Long story short, I found out that there are many new moms who have no blankets to take their babies home in, so that has been my main thrust, and the nurses love the mostly bright-colored yarns I use, rather than the usual light pastels.

Also have made small throws for domestic violence center, local nursing home, and outpatient surgical center. Oh, and stash-busting double strand pet-size mats for the SPCA.

I've been in 3 different groups at different times, but didn't make much of a connection. Did meet some wonderful local gals online in a crochet forum and we get together once a month for lunch and show & tell :-)

I just can't imagine those in other forums I've visited who say that they can't find a nearby "need". The list of people and groups needing help is endless, even in very small communities.

I've always said I would like to volunteer, but if I do, it'll be at the Childrens Hospital. My kids spent a lot of time there and I would like to just read to a child, or play with them, or just hold their hand.

I also donate one hour every 8 weeks by donating my blood to help up to 3 people who are in the hospital and really need it.

I belong to a quilting group in our church, and I find that very rewarding.....it's also an excuse to go to garage sales, to find sheets and useable material! I also belong to a gardening group that takes care of the city garden, planters, etc.

I'm not retired yet (59 years old), but I do belong to our companys charities group. I've been secretary for over 5 years now. I've also started crocheting coasters for Meals on Wheels. I only do holiday ones. It's a nice little gift for the shut in's. Right now I've been making ones in the star spangled yarn I found at a rummage sale. 4 skeins for a $1.00.

Mary, why on earth would anyone slam another for such honesty and values? Where would we be without folks like you doing the baking, crafts ... whatever the endeavor? I applaud you, doing the work at home or alone would be much harder to me! I don't particularly being around children either so I choose to work in other areas! There are many ways in which one can give back.

Most of my volunteering is through our church.

Food Bank,
Hope Fund
Library
Greeting Card Ministry
Prison Ministry
Mentoring new believers
Visitations
KItchen duty when we have Wed. night dinners before church.
Cooking meals for folks that need help due to age, or illness.
Driving folks to Doctors and shopping and sometimes shopping for the folks that find it difficult to get out.

Many of these ministries are monthtly, with a few that are weekly or 'as needed'.. but all are extremely rewarding.

Mary, I am retired and like you, don't want to volunteer in an organization. I help my neighbors, most of whom are elders, and everyone benefits.

There is no reason for anyone to slam you - if I were a director of volunteers, I would much rather have someone working with me that WANTS to be there, as opposed to someone who was there to just put in time.

Mary, no one should slam you for doing what you do....Making quilts is a major project and what a worthy cause....I make quilt for Project Linus so I know what goes into quilting....

Socks, There are so many different volunteering opportunities out there, you won't have a problem finding something....My hubby and I have helped with Meals on Wheels for years until I had to give it up (health), I also helped with a cat/kitten rescue organization and the problems with that or any pet organization, it's very hard not to bring them all home..Just ask my hubby, we fostered 2 little girls and when it was time for adoption, I couldn't let them go, so we added them to our already 2 fur babies...Right now, I have 2 5 month old kittens in my "cat room" that will be going to my DGD but there again, it's going to be hard....
I'm sure you'll find something that you will truly love and it will be fulfilling....Just be for warned when it comes to animals, lol.......

Mary_c There is no reason for anyone to slam you. Like you I am not comfortable in large groups (either working or for pleasure). I don't dislike children but I am not comfortable taking responsibility for more than a few at a time. I have always been doing something in the way of community efforts. When I was younger and had the with-where-all I did major group works. Now and in the past few years my volunteer work has mostly been by myself or in groups of a few friends. There is a need for things in any group that one person can do the work faster and better. I think we are doing what we can to make a difference in our various organizations. That is all that matters.

LIL

I delivered Meals on Wheels for over a year and am now taking a break from it. I volunteer at the info desk at the hospital one afternoon a week, my Kiwanis Club does community projects and I volunteer at my church for various things. I am also on the Board of Trustees at church. Since last fall, I watch my friends' baby for 2 or 3 hours several times a week. I really enjoy him.

I miss volunteering. Before I had kids, I have volunteered at the Red Cross blood donation centre, a soup kitchen, a parks and rec. kids' program and a church kids' program. I loved all of them.

Something I've thought of lately is starting up some sort of a free store.... a second-hand store where everything's free, aimed at low-income families.... maybe in donated space in a basement of a church or something. I'm thinking that if I got the word out, a lot of people would prefer to donate there than to a for-profit store. Lots of logistics to work out, though, for sure.

Gee, Nicole, that's a terrific idea. I've been in thrift stores where I thought the prices were high.

SunnyDJ, you hit the nail on the head with the problem with volunteering at animal shelters. We have one kitty in a small house, and that's about all the fur and litter box I can take. And as for fostering--I'm wise to those animal shelter people and their motive for that fostering program! LOL! I could be a dog walker, though.

I'll take the summer off and see what interests me in the fall. I know there are dozens of opportunities.

I volunteered to lead the Oklahoma FreeWheel training rides last year. This year, I managed to get some others involved to lead rides, and thus, had some Saturdays off.

Other than that, I don't volunteer much anymore, now that I am working.

I used to do a lot as a Master Gardener.

Moni

My very Dear Mother - passed away in Nov 2009 - bless her heart - had 8 kids and worked full-time until 1995 or so, and then when we were all grown up & she retired she volunteered about 20 hours a week in Kindergarten classrooms - she loved to talk about helping a little kid learn to write his name. She also volunteered at the local library and at a local organization that provides services and "materials" - clothes, food, furniture - to those who need some help. I work full time and I think she volunteered more than I work! I think she volunteered mostly to keep busy & she loved little kids!

The only thing I've done is a couple years ago we had a "welcome" home to the Iraqi troops and their families cookout at the hospital and I volunteered for that. I helped set up and then hand out stuff, stuff I can't even remember now.

I am a Brownie Leader, and next year I will be adding a Guide/Pathfinder/Ranger mixed unit to that.

I often make baked goods for charity bake sales. I also donate items to various local shelters (paper towels, cleaning supplies, leashes and collars, that sort of thing). I am part of two different community garden programs that help feed hungry families in the neighbourhood they are in.

I try to help out when I can, and most friends and family know that I love to work events.

Dances.

For 3 yrs. I've been volunteering at the hospital. My buddy and I man the front info desk that includes a waiting room for surgery/pain management. We could write a book about our experiences--y'all wouldn't believe some of them. LOL I also always volunteer at the school my GD goes to--last year with the 1st grade b/c she had so many children, but I've been in a lof of different grades. Around here, one of my BFFs is working w/ the Salvation Army, and we like that one b/c the Red Cross pays their CEO or whatever he is such a huge salary and I wouldn't want to contribute to that. There's a web site that shows how much $$$$ actually goes to the charity and how much the CEO makes. Sal. Army is a good one, and Susan Komen is a good one. Since school is out, I may give some time to our local library, b/c I use it A LOT. I've had a lot of fun at the hospital (and some grief, too).

I volunteer part-time at my local Animal Shelter. lots of fun, but I spend more time in the Cat Room than with the dogs. I like dogs but have an old childhood fear of the big ones.