Seniors Give Back

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By Stephanie Domurat

Story Published: May 14, 2009 at 6:55 PM MST

Story Updated: May 14, 2009 at 5:00 PM MST

BILLINGS - This week's Spirit of Montana reminds us of the golden rule. Making a difference in another person's life can often reflect positive light to more than just the receiver. Hundreds of seniors in Yellowstone County were honored Thursday after finding their own reasons for giving back.

For these seniors, hours of time, is what they give to others. "I was a school teacher for 35 years and you might say I worked for the community and now it's my time to give back to the community," says Don Russell, a volunteer with the RSVP Program.

As an RSVP volunteer Russell is one of the 600 hundred seniors in the program who spend much of their free time, giving it away. "It's a good group of people to work with and when you're out in the community helping people its really rewarding."

Last year the group spent well over 100,000 hours of volunteer time in Yellowstone County, translating to more than $1,000,000 dollars worth of service. But the benefit, goes beyond dollar value.

"The spirit that our volunteers have adds something intangible to our community and yet is so powerful that it is truly felt by all the individuals that meet these volunteers," says Pam Makara, RSVP Program Director.

Many seniors, like Russell, say volunteering isn't just about helping others, but is also an integral part of daily life. After retiring 10 years ago, he now uses volunteering as a productive way to spend his time.

"I'm a type A guy that likes to be busy, and it's a good way to stay busy while giving back." says Russell. "As we get older our world tends to shrink and we need to work hard to keep that from happening. So volunteering is a great way to continue to expand your world," says Makara.

And by expanding their world, and being involved in it, experts say seniors can gain a sense of well-being that can ultimately lead to a happier and healthier life. Volunteers participate largely in the Meals-On-Wheels program, various health services, and educational programs throughout the community.

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