Stu's Story - How I became a Volunteer

"I was the town Comptroller for twenty years until I retired 6 months ago. I was really looking forward to retiring. I could spend my days fishing and catching up on all the books I've been meaning to read. But I found myself feeling really bored, and feeling tired all the time. I felt like all I was doing was relaxing- I didn't really feel productive anymore.

We have a great senior center here in town, and I went there a lot for the lunches and the guest speakers, but I still felt bored and a little down. One day, a guidance counselor form the local middle school came in. She said that they were looking for tutors for the students. They couldn't pay us, but she promised that we would enjoy ourselves. There was a time that thought I wanted to be a teacher, so I figured this was my chance.

I started tutoring the kids in Algebra three days a week. I did so well with the kids, that they started sending me the troublesome ones- the kids that liked to skip class. I even got some of those guys to enjoy algebra- it's really not that hard once you understand it. The best part of the arrangement is that I am really helping were help is needed, and I feel like I have purpose again."

To learn a bit more about volunteering, start by clicking on Why Volunteer? above. Also, be sure to check out the Tips and Extras on the right side of your screen.
You are viewing the printer-friendly page version of Stu's Story - How I became a Volunteer

Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215
URL: http://www.positiveaging.org/consumer/sc_stu.shtml
Category: Staying Connected - Volunteering
Page Name: Stu's Story - How I became a Volunteer