National Volunteer Week—April 24-30 2022—celebrates the impact volunteers have on our lives and encourages active volunteerism in generations to come. During this week, and all year long, we salute our volunteers for their unwavering services to our agency and communities and hold aloft their examples to inspire everyone towards volunteerism.
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world. Each year, we shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in their communities.
MVES has been fortunate enough to benefit from volunteer contributions since MVES’ beginning in the 70’s and today we have more than 200 volunteers working in six programs.
Geraldina DeFlumeri of Melrose, one of our Social Engagement Program volunteers, was asked why she wanted to volunteer for the Social Engagement Program, and she said, “I have a special reason for volunteering for the Social Engagement program. I grew up with my grandparents and I love the elderly. When my husband was in the nursing home, I used to see him every day. While I was there, I helped out others because people need attention. I want to give my heart to others.”
Linda Cornell, MVES Social Engagement Program Coordinator, says Geraldina is a very compassionate, kind, and caring woman. “Her closeness to her parents/grandparents made her realize that she loved being with the elderly. She volunteered in the Melrose/Wakefield Hospital for years and in a nursing home. She likes to help the elderly and the disabled. She enjoys helping them and talking to them to make them happy or to give them courage. If someone needs help, she wants to help them. She also made a point of telling me a few times that doing all of this makes her very happy – it makes her feel good.”
As indicated by Geraldina’s experience, volunteering can build communities where people feel happier, healthier, and more welcome.
MVES has many volunteer opportunities no matter your interest. Some of the programs you can volunteer for include: SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone); Money Management; Meal Sites; and leading a Healthy Aging workshop.
If you would like to learn more about volunteering for MVES, please contact Nicole Sanders O’Toole, Volunteer Engagement Manager at (781) 388-2375 or nsotoole@mves.org, or visit our website here