As you age perhaps you'll find you have additional time and skills you'd like to share. How do you go about finding the right fit as you look to volunteer your time? I recently met two men who spend time with a local veteran and the Minneapolis Veterans Home. Their story is a part of Heroes & History documentary that explores the history of the Veterans home campus.
Being inspired by what I learned by the volunteers I met I set out to look at how to find a volunteer effort that is fulfilling for both the organization and the volunteer.
I turned to the Internet to find answers. The first result that came up with the search "how to find the right volunteer opportunity" is an article written by Kerry Hannon for Next Avenue. Her article mirrors much of what I learned from John and Ray about why they spend their time with veterans.
Mr. Charlie Blanchard is a resident at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. He and his wife Joan made the decision to have him move into the home when it became too difficult for Joan to provide around-the-clock care for Charlie. Charlie lives with Parkinson's disease, a disease that has robbed him of the use of much of his body, but not his mind, or spirit.
Charlie has always had a love of music. As Ray spent time with him he realized this love of music and invited John to meet Charlie. John, a noted musician, helped Charlie release what had been trapped in his body for years. "When he [Ray] brought John in the dynamic changed", Joan recalls. Ray adds, "Charlie likes seeing me, but he LOVES seeing John because John brings an element that touches Charlie's heart."
John Wellvang's life has revolved around music. Finding the ability to bring joy to others by singing the rock standards of the 1950s and 60s has meant a lot to him.
John and Charlie haven't known each other long; however, John has been told that he is making a difference not just in Charlie's mood, but also in his health. John is touched when he recalls, "Ray remarked how after singing [together] all of the sudden Charlie can speak more clearly, so things happen with it. I don't pretend to know how it happens, or how it works, but it does do some things."
"this is a pretty simple thing for me to share to get those kinds of results and this kind of joy out of people, so that's why I do it." - John Wellvang
The Minneapolis Veterans Home relies on hundreds of volunteers to provide thousands of hours of time to help enrich the lives of their residents. Simone Hogan, Senior Director of Veterans Health Care at the Minneapolis Veterans Home, believes that whether people who volunteer on-campus share their time or gifts with residents "[they] get just as much out of the experience as our residents do. It's really a valuable opportunity, a way for them to better understand our history and feel like they're giving back to people who served."
As producer of the Heroes & History documentary it was my job to find a handful of residents and ask them questions about their service to our country. In doing so I met men who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Each of the men were eager to share the story of their lives before, during, and after their time in uniform. As I think of the gifts I have and what I could share I come back to the idea that I could help out by just being there. By being an active and engaged listener. The men and women who call this place home all have personal histories that are worth learning.
Ray Hudson has a gift. His gift is he cares. "I get more out of it then they do, I think", Mr. Hudson told me, "when you see somebody who is despondent, sitting in their wheelchair with nothing to do except for sleep or be grumpy, then you see them sing, or play, it's just pretty awesome."
Richard Eisenberg, editor of Next Avenue, has written about the feeling Hudson and Wellvang, both entering stages in life where they're looking to change things up, have while spending time with Charlie, “There’s a growing body of scientific research proving that aging with purpose is really, really good for your health. But to receive the potential health benefits, it helps to volunteer for the right reason.”
Based on Hudson and Wellvang's reactions it is very safe to say they have found the right fit while volunteering at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.
