The "golden years" are a time for leisure and fun, but a common trend and a growing "leisure activity" is volunteering for those 55 years and better. Volunteering provides a social context, allows one to share competences, and offers a feeling of usefulness.
There are approximately 200 seniors who volunteer at the Oceanside Senior Center in a variety of capacities. The Center would not be successful without the help from its non-paid workforce. These volunteers have stated they feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment by volunteering their time and felt that interacting socially with other seniors at least once a week made a difference in their quality of life. Everyone benefits from their experience and expertise. So, volunteering is a mutual benefit for both the volunteers and the Senior Center!
The El Corazon Senior Center (ECSC) will open in the spring of 2009 and will offer a wide array of active programming for adults 55 and better and staff is looking for volunteers to help make the ECSC the premier location for Oceanside residents 55 and better to recreate, socialize and entertain.
Volunteering is a special way to give back, a way of meeting new people and an opportunity to stay connected with your community. If you are a senior who is interested in being a part of this growing "workforce", please contact Megan Crooks in Parks & Recreation at (760) 435-5048.
Seeking volunteers of all ages!
Front Desk
The Senior Center employs 10 volunteers a week, two each day. The first shift is from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and the second shift is from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. This is an important volunteer job as these volunteers are the first to greet visitors who come to the center.
Library
Library hours are from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Travel
Travel consists of ten volunteers, two each day. Their hours are from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm These volunteers plan trips for seniors.
Nutrition
Nutrition volunteers help prepare the food for the homebound and in-house lunches, serve lunch and do cleanup. Nutrition is always in need of volunteers. For information call 435-5285.
Food Bank
There are two San Diego Food Bank programs provided at the Senior Center, one on the second Monday of the month and one on the third Wednesday of the month. Volunteers do everything from packing the food the night before, to checking seniors in for the program and placing the food in their cars.
Angel’s Depot Food Program
The Angel’s Depot Food Program is a non-profit providing food for seniors once a month on the third Monday. Volunteers help them by checking seniors in for the program and placing the food in their cars.
Senior Expo
This event is held annually in October at the Civic Center Plaza. Volunteers are used in every aspect of the program – from obtaining gifts for the raffle and door prizes, to setup and tear down of the booths, manning booths at the Expo and much more.
