As you enter your post-retirement years or find yourself an empty nester, you may be seeking a new sense of fulfillment and purpose. While hobbies, recreation and socializing are enjoyable, they may not provide the same feeling of accomplishment that comes from being productive.

Volunteering, even for just a few hours a week, can do that.

To aid in the search for the best volunteering experience, a federal program — AmeriCorps Seniors, which just celebrated its 30-year anniversary — has established national volunteer programs. In 1990, AmeriCorps and the Collier County Board of County Commissioners added a Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, of Collier County within its Community and Human Services Division. The organization pairs volunteers with its 20 partner organizations based on their interests, skills and preferences.

Volunteers, their programs both benefit

As Meredith Gavin, AmeriCorps seniors program director for RSVP of Collier County, pointed out, volunteering is not just about giving back but also taking care of yourself. Even short periods of volunteering offer health benefits, boost self-esteem, reduce stress and improve brain function. This well-being is a testament to the value that volunteering gives you as an individual.

The value and worth of volunteering are immeasurable, as attested by Eileen Connolly- Keesler, president and CEO of Collier Community Foundation, who was guest speaker at the October RSVP informational meeting.

“Our country was built on philanthropy — people giving their time and treasure. Volunteering is a core American value. In Collier County, thousands of hours are devoted each year to nonprofit programs. If we tallied all these volunteer hours, it would represent hun- dreds of employees nonprofits could not afford. Our community thrives on this generosity, and without it, essential services would undoubtedly suffer,” Connolly-Keesler said.

A volunteer’s story

Naples resident Paul Doppelt retired 20 years ago from a successful career. Soon after, he and his wife questioned what they would do with their time and their means “to make the world a little better place.” They decided to give back to the community and began volunteering.

At one point, Doppelt made acquaintance with Gavin at Freedom Waters, which works with veterans, foster children and at-risk kids. After Gavin began a position with RSVP, Doppelt followed her and discovered other volunteer opportunities, such as Project Build, whose goal is breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness for teens in foster care.

“We started a construction school at Project Build about a year and a half ago, teaching foster kids how to become carpenters, farmers and drone pilots so they can make a living when they age out of the foster care system. Habitat is a partner, and kids filter through, and from there, they get jobs working as carpenters on Saturdays,” he said. The school helps them in other ways, as well, with its financial literacy courses, Doppelt said.

“My volunteer work is very fulfilling,” he declared. He has poured as much time into it as many spend employed, he conceded, but added that’s not a requirement.

“Everyone can make a difference, and you don’t have to give all your time. There are so many worthwhile organizations around us in which we can have a lasting impact and help people who can use the help. Meals of Hope is another volunteer opportunity we are fond of, as well as a storm preparation program for homeowners. Everyone knows each other at RSVP, and spreading the word is a joy.”

RSVP measurably affects us

Thousands of senior volunteer hours have been logged since the RSVP, which boasts 118 members, was founded. Over the past two years, RSVP volunteers added 12,800 hours of service, totaling $153,600 saved in the community, Gavin reported.

“Opportunities include mentoring children, helping with food distribution, becoming a senior companion to someone in need, engaging in the arts and more. There are no regular meetings, and we e-mail member volunteers about volunteer opportunities and special events.” Gavin said.

“If a senior is already volunteering with a partner organization but not an RSVP member, they should sign up with RSVP,” she said. An RSVP membership will afford them additional liability insurance coverage while they’re actively volunteering, and enable them to participate in RSVP experiences such as special tours and lunches, become a part of the Collier County volunteer community and meet new people, Gavin added.

Informational meetings are held periodically for aspiring volunteers or those currently volunteering in Collier County, and the next one is Oct. 18 (see information box).

RSVP benefit: Bone Builders classes

Another RSVP component is the Bone Builders program, which relies upon volunteer trainers who help members protect against fractures caused by osteoporosis. The classes help increase muscular strength, balance and bone density through weight training and balance exercises.

Volunteer lead instructor and trainer Dawn Agnoli, who worked as an occupational therapist, has trained 40 teachers. She started her volunteer work with RSVP in 2020 and spearheaded the startup of classes after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mobility is crucial to activities of daily living. We work to strengthen, improve and prevent injury. Increasing bone density is hard, but weight-bearing exercises are the key. There is also an important social component to the program, as well. I have osteoporosis, so I can connect with the class members and their issues with the condition,” Agnoli said.

About a dozen classes, with some 300 members attending, are held throughout Collier County in public areas and gated communities.

Agnoli was awarded the RSVP Volunteer of the Year 2024.

“My volunteerism has allowed me to enjoy the smiles and see the members’ improvements after every class; it is deeply gratifying,” she said.

“There is also a strong social component that is valuable to the members. After I lost my husband in December, I continued to teach, and the support I have received from the groups is wonderful.”