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Guest Column

Live longer, prosper: Become a volunteer

By LESTER ARADI
Published October 20, 2006

Several years ago, I was driving to work and listening to a radio host ask the typical morning quiz questions. The question that day was, "What one thing can you do to add up to 10 years to your life?"

I was interested in hearing the answer, so I took my time driving in, while callers were guessing with a variety of answers.

"Quit smoking" was one guess. "Nope," responded the radio host.

"Exercise more" was another response. "Good guess, but no again," was the reply.

"Take more time off." "Drink a glass of red wine." "Take a daily dose of aspirin." On and on came the guesses. All met with the same answer: no.

Finally, the radio host announced that the one thing you can do to add up to 10 years to your life is to volunteer.

Citing a research study the radio station was relying on, the host went on to say that volunteers maintained their mental alertness, had a more positive outlook on life, benefited from increased social interaction, enjoyed a sense of purpose and belonging, and increased those little brain endorphins that provide natural tranquilizing qualities that we all need from time to time, some more than others.

I have not read the research, and this is strictly hearsay based on what I heard that radio show host discuss, but the concept is plausible.

Another point that has to be considered is that perhaps the type of people who give of themselves naturally live longer than others, especially longer than the "what's in it for me" variety.

A down side to volunteering that I have witnessed is the amount of criticism volunteers receive from those they are trying to serve. Whether they serve as committee chairs for social organizations, help nonprofit organizations, or serve as civic or governmental board members, people will judge, criticize and condemn their contributions.

Therein might be a better radio show question: "What one thing can you do to shave 10 years off your life?" Answer: Sit back and be judgmental, critical, cynical and spiteful to others.

The most overlooked benefit we receive from volunteers is helping to lower our taxes. That's correct. We are all acutely aware of the impact of rising property taxes of late. School Board members, county commissioners and all city officials heard a very loud cry to do whatever could be done to lower taxes on homeowners and businesses. Department directors, such as myself, are constantly asked to closely analyze our budgets to shave wherever we can.

While we can cut back on employee training, reduce fuel consumption, ask our personnel to "do more with less," the greatest reductions come from reducing personnel and subsequently, programs. This is where the great service of volunteers helps out.

In August alone, Largo Police Department volunteers logged 740 hours of free work. They relieved officers at crash scenes so officers could go back in service to handle incoming calls. They also patrol businesses for parking violations, assist with school crossings, conduct residential home vacation checks, assist city code enforcement personnel, do clerical work inside the police station and a host of other activities that would require paid personnel.

The contribution to our department alone last year was easily more than $150,000 - a savings to taxpayers. Multiply that by the scores of departments in this and other governmental bodies and the benefit is astronomical.

Yet organizations such as the Island Estates Civic Association in Clearwater are near collapse because of a lack of volunteers. This is sad because they champion community concerns and help with neighborhood beautification projects.

Money for nonprofit organizations such as the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is diminishing.

As a result, the aquarium is feeling a tremendous pinch and would not be able to operate without its wonderful volunteers.

Talk about a rewarding experience!

So next time you see a volunteer at a library, on a governmental board, at a nonprofit organization, and all the others that I failed to mention, please thank them for making our lives better.

That's often the extent of their "pay."

Lester Aradi is the chief of police in Largo.

[Last modified October 20, 2006, 07:45:18]