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Guest Column

Here's to a long, happy life

By LESTER ARADI
Published October 25, 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 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 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 based on what I heard on that radio show, 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 the "what's in it for me" variety.

A down side to volunteering I have witnessed is the amount of criticism volunteers receive from those they are trying to serve. Whether they serve as committee chairmen for social organizations, help nonprofit organizations, or serve as civic or government 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 help lowering our taxes. That's correct. We are all acutely aware of the impact of rising property taxes of late. Department directors like me are constantly asked to analyze our budgets to shave wherever we can.

While we can cut back on employee training, reduce fuel consumption, and 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.

In August alone, Largo Police Department volunteers logged 740 hours of free work.

They relieved officers at crash scenes. They patrol businesses for parking violations, assist with school crossings, conduct home vacation checks, assist city code enforcement personnel, do clerical work at the police station and a host of other activities that would require paid personnel.

So next time you see a volunteer at a library, on a governmental board, at a nonprofit organization and all the others 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 25, 2006, 06:54:43]