Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/20573
The Journey of Omar Ibn Said “...the most educated Muslim slave in North Carolina” The autobiography of Omar Ibn Said runs through December 5th. For more information contact: Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex 801 Arsenal Ave. • (910) 486-1330 Adam Beyah, Event Coordinator • (910) 483-5644 Special thanks to: SENIOR CORNER Volunteering Helps Older Adults in Tough Times by MARTHA OWEN AND SUSAN GUY Citizens who want to be champions in their community should con- sider volunteering to help seniors. There’s no greater time than now to step up to the plate. “During the kind of recession and economic downturn that we’ve ex- perienced, volunteerism is not just a nice thing to do, it is a necessity,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. “Right now com- munities across the nation are facing high unemployment and re- lated escalating needs for assistance at the same time that cities and county governments and non-profit organizations are facing shrinking financial resources. Older adults have been hard hit by the struggling economy with many finding it difficult to make ends meet,” she noted. “Area Agencies on Aging are seeing older adults, who have never needed Spending some time with seniors is a great way to volunteer and show you care. services, come through their doors seeking help. The good news is that despite the troubled economy, a recent report by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that volunteerism in the United States increased in 2009, which shows that when times get tough, Americans rise to the call for service.” Volunteers come in all ages and stages. Often children request pet supplies as birthday gifts so they can donate to the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, whose yearly contributions are running low. Also, the number of seniors help- ing others by volunteering at R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), a United Way Agency, has increased this year over 13 percent. They do everything from delivering meals to preparing tax returns. These are both examples of local people doing good for others here in Cumberland County. Another special way volunteers can assist seniors, as well as others, is by se- lecting names from angel trees around town. Adopting a name from the Salvation Army list in the Fayetteville Observer allows for a Christmas gift that would not be received otherwise. Everyone will recognize the “ringing of the bell” as a re- minder to empty your pockets into the red kettle. Giving generously is appreci- ated, especially this year. One reason that volunteerism may be thriving since the recession is the ful- fillment that it brings. “Volunteering is actually not just a good thing to do for society; it is a good thing to do for yourself,” Markwood said.” According to recent studies, volunteering leads to greater life satisfaction and lower rates of depression. Research has shown that people who volunteer live longer.” Contributing writers, Susan Guy and Martha Owen, are local owners of Home Instead Senior Care. For more information visit www.homeinstead.com or call 910-484-7200. MARTHA OWEN & SUSAN GUY, Contributing Writers. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com 18 UCW DECEMBER 1-7, 2010 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FREE ADMISSION