March is “Thank a Volunteer” month and AmeriCorps of Clarksdale recognized and thanked its senior volunteers with a meal and chance for someone to serve them.
The group gathered at the Coahoma County Expo Center recently to fellowship, enjoy a lunch and take home gift certificates from local businesses.
“We have about 65 senior volunteers and we had 55 of them here today,” said Mary Frances Dear-Moton, RSVP Project Director. “COVID has been tough on our organization and our volunteers this was just a way to show them a little appreciation.”
The event was also a training exercise with a workshop on dealing with depression, seclusion and the difficulties of being alone during COVID.
AmeriCorps Seniors is open to individuals 55 and older.
When someone joins AmeriCorps Seniors, they choose how they want to give back to their city or neighborhood.
Opportunities to volunteer can be as simple as helping a struggling child to learn to read, deliver groceries to an elderly neighbor or just put other seniors in touch with services that can make their life fuller and healthier.
For those wanting to do a little more AmeriCorps offers training to help a families impacted by natural disaster.
AmeriCorps also has a Foster Grandparent Program. This program mentors and guides students to higher academic achievement. The Foster Grandparent Program connects role models in the community with students with exceptional needs.
AmeriCorps has programs geared toward veterans and seeks veterans to help deliver those services.
The organization also seeks to link faith-based initiatives with people who have a particular talent or ability to serve others.
And serving with AmeriCorps benefits those who serve. Studies show AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers experience decreased anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Studies show 84% of volunteers report stable or improving health after one year of service.
These are just a few of the service opportunities available to you through AmeriCorps Seniors.
Every year the organization matches over 200,000 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers with service opportunities offered by our partner organizations.
The group was blessed by Evangelist Loretta Bryant who also offered thanks for the meal.
