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By BETTY HAYWARD
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 31, 2001
Singing in the shower is therapeutic for me but is tough on the rest of the family. Just the other day, I began singing an Aretha Franklin song, and the dog howled along... R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
It's a great song -- at least when Aretha sings it. I started thinking about many of our Retired Senior Volunteer Program volunteers after I tried to reach some high notes I can't hit anymore. No, I wasn't thinking about a bunch of folks who can't sing well, either.
What I was thinking about is the bottom line for many people: "What's in it for me?"
If you are older than 55, have you tried to get a job lately? What did you hear from potential employers? You and I have both heard it: "You're overqualified." You might be able to get some part-time jobs for minimum wage. Is that fun? Not often. If you are looking for something better than minimum wage, try volunteering! No, you don't get paid money, but money isn't everything.
What you get is respect, thanks, appreciation and recognition. You set the hours, and you get to meet other active, outgoing people enjoying what they are doing. You can't beat that with a stick!
If you aren't getting a great rush of excitement thinking of the day before you, here's a secret: Go out and help someone; it makes you feel great. If you aren't sure where to start, we have help-wanted ads in our office. You would be amazed at the diversity of jobs and the availability of locations.
For information, contact the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), 3443 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg, (727) 327-8690, ext. 22, or at the Martin Luther King Center, 1201 Martin Luther King Ave., Clearwater, (727) 443-1916). Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
RSVP recruits and places volunteers age 55 and older with agencies that use their skills and expertise. If you want to join a group of lively, outgoing, friendly people, come to see us at our two locations.
We have roughly 100 volunteer sites for you to choose from throughout the county.
If you have any special requests, I can sing them for you. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the biggest request I get is not to sing anything.
- Betty Hayward is the director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in Pinellas County. You can write to her c/o Seniority, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.