Van Cline
Why I Like to Volunteer at CCFI?
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I have been retired for about a year, and last fall when I was a little down I decided I needed to be more active and that it might be invigorating to work with kids. I had previously volunteered at the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI) as a co-leader for a parent education group, but this time, I asked to help in CCFI’s afterschool children and youth program at Wilson School.
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I was apprehensive about how the elementary and middle school kids in the program would react to a 66 year-old man, and anticipated rejection. After all, no other staff or volunteer there was barely over half my age. But I was wrong about the kids. The first evening a 12-year old “adopted” me to talk and play. Since then, on different evenings and at different times, various kids find something they like about interacting with me–playing games, joking, getting help or occasionally just talking.
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I know the kids are getting time and attention from me that they value and appreciate. But what am I getting? I think I get so much more than I can possibly give. I feel valued because the kids clearly like having me around, as a friend and a mentor. Once I got to know them, I began to care enormously about them. My own children are young adults living on their own, but, as yet, I have no grandchildren. Maybe there is a “grandparenting instinct,” but whatever it is, interacting with and caring about these kids has made me very happy.
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Also, I have discovered I am not nearly so physically limited by age as I thought. I have played tag, soccer and basketball and had fun doing it. Did I play as well as when I was 16? Of course not, but I didn’t think I could do those things at all. There is nothing like getting your first “header” in soccer when you are 66! These kids have taught me a lot and there’s much more for me to learn.
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So, that’s why I volunteer… for the emotional high, physical activity, a feeling of self-worth and a depth of caring I didn’t know was even there. What’s not to like?
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- Van Cline
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Get Involved by volunteering! Follow these easy steps:
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1. Search volunteer opportunities
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2. Download and fill out a Volunteer Form.
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3. Fax, (405) 364-1433, or drop off your form- click here for directions. You may also email your application to cmackey@ccfinorman.org.
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For more information about volunteering at CCFI, please contact:
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Christi Mackey
Volunteer & Resource Coordinator
405-364-1420
cmackey@ccfinorman.org
