Volunteer - Vintage https://yourvintage.org Your connection to information, resources, and advocacy for older adults.. Thu, 25 Apr 2024 04:38:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://yourvintage.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/V_icon@500-150x150.png Volunteer - Vintage https://yourvintage.org 32 32 Meet Volunteer Sherrie Ford from Routt County https://yourvintage.org/meet-volunteer-sherrie-ford-from-routt-county/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meet-volunteer-sherrie-ford-from-routt-county Thu, 25 Apr 2024 04:38:06 +0000 https://yourvintage.org/?p=2724 In the spirit of Volunteer Application Week, we're shining a spotlight on one of our remarkable volunteers, Sherrie Ford, who hails from Routt County.

The post Meet Volunteer Sherrie Ford from Routt County first appeared on Vintage.

]]> Volunteer Spotlight: Sherrie Ford

In the spirit of Volunteer Application Week, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our remarkable volunteers, Sherrie Ford, who hails from Routt County.

Sherrie’s journey into volunteering stems from her rich background as a Benefits Manager for an industrial construction company. With a knack for explaining complex concepts to thousands of workers, she found her calling in helping seniors navigate the intricacies of Medicare.

What Sets Sherrie Apart

What sets Sherrie apart are her heartwarming experiences. From saving a woman over $90,000 on crucial MS medication to assisting a couple in slashing their drug plan costs, her impact resonates deeply.

One of her most cherished memories from volunteering encapsulates the profound impact she can have on people’s lives through guidance and support during challenging times. In this instance, not one but two heartwarming encounters stand out vividly.

The first involved a woman who walked into their office during open enrollment, her face etched with worry. She shared her distressing news – her current drug plan had notified her that they would no longer cover her essential medication for MS in the coming year. The financial burden looming over her was staggering; projections showed her costs soaring over $100,000. Determined to help, they delved into exploring alternative options. After thorough research and careful consideration, they discovered a plan that offered relief – it would cost her $7000 for the year. Although still a significant amount, the weight lifted from her shoulders was palpable. She could breathe easier knowing she could afford the medication vital to her well-being.

The second encounter involved a married couple seeking financial respite during open enrollment. What began as a routine visit turned into a revelation. They had unknowingly been overpaying for their drug plans for a decade, shelling out $60 each per month. Shockingly, these plans didn’t even cover the medications they required. Armed with knowledge, she navigated through the intricacies of open enrollment, emphasizing their rights to switch plans annually. She empowered them with information on exploring different providers and tailoring plans to their specific needs. Together, they uncovered more affordable options, saving them hundreds of dollars each. As they left her office, they carried not just savings, but newfound awareness and confidence in managing their healthcare expenses.

Why She Volunteers

Beyond the numbers, volunteering has transformed Sherrie’s life. It’s not just about giving back; it’s about staying connected with her community, forging new bonds, and strengthening existing ones. The satisfaction of helping others and witnessing their empowerment is unmatched.

Sherrie’s story serves as an inspiration to us all. As Volunteer Application Week unfolds, let’s celebrate individuals like Sherrie whose compassion and dedication make our communities brighter. If you’re looking to make a difference, consider joining us as a volunteer.

Thank you, Sherrie, for your unwavering commitment and the positive ripple effect you create from all of us at Vintage!

The post Meet Volunteer Sherrie Ford from Routt County first appeared on Vintage.

]]> Best Places to Volunteer in Colorado https://yourvintage.org/best-places-to-volunteer-in-colorado/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-places-to-volunteer-in-colorado Fri, 15 Jan 2021 14:30:00 +0000 https://yourvintage.org/?p=1261 Best places to Volunteer in Colorado
What fills up your time and your heart? Are you looking to share with others and give back to your community?

The post Best Places to Volunteer in Colorado first appeared on Vintage.

]]>

Best places to Volunteer in Colorado

What fills up your time and your heart? Are you looking to share with others and give back to your community?

When you volunteer, you have the opportunity to expand your day-to-day and utilize your skills, professionally and personally, to benefit the community. Volunteering can be an energizing and rewarding way to enhance your time, regardless of your background or age.

Why Should You Volunteer?

People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some, it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others, it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Regardless of the motivation, what unites us all is that we find value in giving back.

Overall, volunteering provides various mental and physical benefits while providing valuable connections and impacting others’ lives. Here are ten significant benefits of volunteering:

  1. It helps you meet new people and make new friends. Volunteering is a great way to get out and meet new people who have shared interests. For someone new to an area, it’s a great way to get connected to the community.
  2. It helps improve your social and relationship skills. For the shy person, volunteering helps overcome the fear of branching out and connecting with others. Volunteering is also an excellent opportunity to strengthen your current relationships with friends or family.
  3. It increases your confidence level. Doing good and making others happy can positively impact how you feel about yourself, thus increasing your self-confidence.
  4. It provides an excellent opportunity to bond with your family. Volunteering is a great way to bring together busy families for a common cause and offer a fun way to learn from and better connect.
  5. It helps prevent isolation and depression. In addition to getting you out of the house and around other people, volunteering provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment, improving psychological health and lessening the risk of depression. 
  6. It enables you to stay physically active and healthy. Volunteering encourages you to get out and get moving, which is good for your body and mind. Participating in meaningful volunteer activities may also lower the risk of dementia and other health problems.
  7. It provides you with significant experience. Volunteering can provide you with valuable social and work-related skills.
  8. It makes you feel more fulfilled. Volunteering makes you feel as though you are doing positive things with your time and energy, providing you with a sense of fulfillment in life.
  9. It helps to bridge generation gaps. Volunteering brings together people of all ages, helping to connect the senior community to younger generations.
  10. You help make your community a better place. Volunteering connects you to your community and positively impacts local people, organizations, and the environment.

 

What kind of Volunteer Opportunities are there?

The great thing about volunteering is that there are opportunities to be found for every age and area of interest. Volunteer options can range from simple, one-time events to ones that are more skill-based and long-term.

Types of volunteer opportunities include clerical, handyman work, food bank assistance, meal delivery services, caregiver assistance, and mentoring. You can find opportunities for both groups and individuals.

Where can I find places to Volunteer in Colorado?

Volunteer services are an essential part of Vintage. We are looking for individuals who are committed and willing to serve their community. We offer rewarding volunteer opportunities right here in the mountain communities we know and love. Check out our volunteer options here.

You can also search for and find other volunteer options in Colorado based on your area of interest at the following websites:

Some of our favorite volunteer opportunities around the state are:

  • Outdoor Colorado: With a mission of motivating and enabling people to become active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources, Outdoor Colorado frequently recruits volunteers for recreation and habitat improvement projects such as trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, tree planting, gardening, flood and fire restoration, and park improvements.
  • At your local animal shelter: Local animal shelters could always use a hand cleaning, walking dogs, showing pets to potential adopters, landscaping, photographing pets, performing office tasks, and overall being company to the animals.
  • Telling Colorado’s story at History Colorado: History Colorado helps share and inform the public of Colorado’s vast history and resources. Volunteers can expect to help the organization by greeting visitors at the community museums, working the exhibits at the History Colorado Center, or inspiring school kids to explore Colorado’s history.
 

Vintage RSVP Station List

Our RSVP program is an excellent option for finding a fantastic place to volunteer in Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, and Summit County, Colorado.

Here’s an extensive list of resources for you:

  1. A Little Help
    1. Companionship/Respite/Transportation/Food Support
      1. Rick Smith
        1. rick@alittlehelp.org
        2. 970-230-2267
  2. Caregiver Connections
    1. Companionship/Respite/Transportation
      1. ReNae Anderson
        1. Support@getcaregiverconnections.org
        2. 970-977-0188
  3. Castle Peak
    1. Companionship/Respite/Transportation
      1. Heather Bogantz
        1. Heather.Bogantz@cassialife.org
        2. 970-989-1120
  4. Eagle County Healthy Aging
    1. Transportation
      1. Carly Rietmann
        1. carly.rietmann@eaglecounty.us
        2. 970-328-8896
    2. Home Delivered Meals/Transportation/Food Support
      1. Maloit Park Senior Center (Minturn Congregate Meal Site)
        1. Pat Nolan
          1. Pat.nolan@eaglecounty.us
          2. 970-328-2837
      2. Golden Eagle (Eagle Congregate Meal Site)
        1. Carly Rietmann
          1. carly.rietmann@eaglecounty.us
          2. 970-328-8896
      3. El Jebel Congregate Meal Site
        1. Mandi Dicamillo
          1. Mandi.dicamillo@eaglecounty.us
          2. 970-328-7682
  5. Eagle County Veterans Service Office
    1. Companionship/Respite/Food Support
      1. Pat Hammon
      2. pat.hammon@eaglecounty.us
      3. 970-328-9674
  6. HomeCare and Hospice of the Valley
    1. Companionship/Respite
      1. Lisa Paige
        1. lpaige@hchotv.org 
        2. 970-930-6014
  7. Vintage- SHIP
    1. Medicare Counseling
      1. Jonna Glassman
        1. JGlassman@nwccog.org
        2. 970-315-1328

When it comes to volunteering as a senior, there is certainly no shortage of opportunities to get you active and involved with the local community. We at Vintage highly recommend volunteering for its extraordinary social, physical, and mental health benefits, including meeting and connecting with new people, decreasing your risk of depression and dementia, and improving your self-confidence and overall sense of purpose in life.

 

The post Best Places to Volunteer in Colorado first appeared on Vintage.

]]>