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socioeconomic background — offer experience, knowledge and
come with a different level of understanding. They have work ex-
perience, family experience, which helps with relationships.”
He also said they have a good eye for things that need to get done.

While many older volunteers become docents, give lectures,
provide companionship and the like, others prefer to be more phys-
ically active.

We consider volunteers very valuable to us. Older people
bring a lot to the table. Senior volunteers — regardless
of socioeconomic background — offer experience,
knowledge and come with a different level of
understanding. They have work experience, family
experience, which helps with relationships.

MAJOR PHILIP FERREIRA, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE SALVATION ARMY OF PHILADELPHIA
That’s certainly true of the many older volunteers for the vast
1,800-acre Wissahickon Valley Park. There is nothing they don’t do,
including much of the rigorous physical labor that’s required to
maintain the park’s trails and structures. They pick up trash on
cleanup days, lead hikes, organize projects and interface with gov-
ernment employees.

They are, said Friends of the Wissahickon’s volunteer coordinator
John Holback, tremendous assets.

Though the young Holback gets some gentle ribbing from sen-
ior volunteers about his age — “you were born when?” — he’s got
a terrific rapport with them, and a great deal of respect for what
they contribute.

“There are older guys [among our volunteers] who have three
times my life’s worth of experience,” said Holback, noting their deep
knowledge of the park and its history.

“You say, ‘You know, some of the shingles on the Mount Airy
shed are falling apart. Can you do that?’ And they’ll be like, ‘Oh
yeah, we did that back in ’92. We’re happy to do it again, no problem.’
They get it. And that’s passing knowledge onto me, and I can pass
it along. That’s another benefit [of older volunteers] — passing along
their experiences and information.”
Holback said older adults are also good role models for
younger people.

“The cool thing about older people coming out is you get a di-
versity of backgrounds,” he said. “And it’s inspiring to see someone
who has fake heart valves or whatever out there working.”
Next up for Shire is an effort to get a Rock Steady boxing program
for people with Parkinson’s going in the suburbs. She donated some
time to a similar program in Florida recently, and was moved by
what she saw.

“I shed a number of tears,” she said, but she remains unde-
terred. “That’s what the volunteering means to me: If you work
hard and try to find your inner core, that’s how you can be the
best you can be.” l
Contact: lspikol@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0747
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22 MAY 12, 2016
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