The social and health bonuses of senior volunteering

“I just cannot say enough about how much volunteering has benefited me,” says RSVP Northern Virginia volunteer and engagement leader Sue Dussinger.

Dussinger began her RSVP experience in 2016 after volunteering at an information booth at the Fairfax Fall Festival with then-RSVP Northern Virginia volunteer specialist Nadia Hoonan.

“It started me off knowing that I wanted to do more with RSVP,” Sue said of the experience. She also helped staff the same booth with current RSVP volunteer specialist Carly Hubicki at the 2017 festival.

Prior to joining RSVP Sue had more than a decade of volunteer work under her belt with Volunteer Fairfax’s Volunteers for Change program which she says she thoroughly enjoyed. RSVP Northern Virginia, the largest volunteer program in the region for those 55-years-old or better, is a program of Volunteer Fairfax, Volunteer Arlington and Volunteer Alexandria.

“I get more benefit (from volunteering) than the people I’m helping,” Sue says. “If that sounds selfish well…but I know I’m helping people. It really helps you (as a volunteer) grow a little bit”

RSVP Northern Virginia will hold a free volunteer orientation for seniors, Tuesday, June 5, at 10:30 a.m., at the Woodrow Wilson Library in Falls Church. The one-hour event is free and open to the public and will be held in Meeting Room 1 at the library, located at 6101 Knollwood Drive in Falls Church, VA, 22041. Free parking is available. Those interested may sign up by clicking here or by calling Carly Hubicki at 703-403-5360.

With RSVP Sue ‘s experiences have ranged from coordinating a monthly group service project at River Farm in Alexandria to helping out at the resume review room at the annual 50+ Expo in April. She is also a regular volunteer driver for Volunteer Solutions, another RSVP partner.

“Volunteering is a good way to keep social,” Sue says. “I have never in my life been a real ‘joiner’ but once you get into it (volunteering) you can’t stop. I love interacting with people.”

Sue, who after retiring in 2012 began working as a fitness specialist at a local health club, also points to the health benefits of being a senior volunteer. “You really need to stay active. You need to keep moving as seniors,” she says.

RSVP offers more than 200 meaningful opportunities. RSVP volunteers help seniors age in place, they assist local veterans in need, and they help prepare communities for disasters. RSVP also recruits volunteers for various community events including for the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. Several of RSVP’s nonprofit partners are based in the Falls Church Area, including the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia and Capital Caring.

Sue became interested in becoming an RSVP engagement leader after working with Ken Kozloff at the 2017 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics.

“I just liked the idea of helping to coordinate and to make it (the event) a good experience for the volunteers” she says.

RSVP volunteers enjoy flexible schedules, free accident and liability insurance while serving, optional mileage and meal reimbursement and are invited to volunteer group projects and social gatherings.

Volunteer registration for the 2018 NVSO which runs Sept. 15 thru Sept. 26 has begun. Those interested in supporting this event should contact Carly at 703-403-5360. To register for the NVSO please visit www.nvso.us

Why does Sue recommend volunteering with RSVP?

“I have been involved with two RSVP volunteer coordinators (Nadia Hoonan and Carly Hubicki) and both are excellent. I think that is where it starts. “They seem to seek out opportunities for us and they are laid out beautifully in our newsletter so you get to choose. There will probably be something that will interest you. They (the volunteer specialists) look for different opportunities because they know we are different people.”

“I think I can honestly say I have never regretted going on a single volunteer project.” Sue says. “That is a huge thing to be able to say,” she adds. “You meet the most wonderful people.”

To hear Sue and other RSVP'ers share their senior volunteer experiences, please visit the RSVP podcast page on Soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/rsvp_no...

To sign up for the June 5 orientation in Falls Church, email RSVP Volunteer Specialist Carly Hubicki at chubicki@volunteerfairfax.org or call RSVP at 703-403-5360. To learn more about RSVP, please visit www.rsvpnova.org our you can sign up sign up by clicking here.