Volunteer at the Castle Rock Senior Center
By Lynne Marsala Basche;photos courtesy of the Castle Rock Senior Center
Left: Volunteers participating at a local festival. Right: A volunteer shuttle driver helping a member to an appointment.
When you think about a senior center, you may conjure up visions of a dismal place where old people are propped in front of a television, day in and day out. If so, you are in for a surprise at the Castle Rock Senior Center. The center was started in 1971 as a senior club and has grown into a bustling lifeline for our community’s elderly residents. Volunteering at the Senior Center is as exciting and varied as its members.
The Castle Rock Senior Center has more than 600 members, ranging in age from 50 to 90. All members have the opportunity to enjoy countless activities that encompass a total wellness program designed to educate and nurture their minds, bodies and souls. With only four paid staff members, the center relies heavily on volunteers. In fact, more than 30,000 volunteer hours were logged last year.
Chances are high that the center offers programs that match your hobbies and interests, so why not consider volunteering and having fun while doing it? If you have a passion for sports and the outdoors, you can coach teams and run various activities like golf, softball, bowling, or hiking. If social events are more your style, consider volunteering to coordinate board games, canasta, or bridge tournaments. If you like to drive, there is a need for shuttle drivers (using the Center’s own vehicles) to take members to appointments and trips, such as monthly casino outings, dinners, and plays. Volunteers are needed at the annual craft fair and golf tournament fundraisers, as well as for participation in booths around town at various festivals throughout the year. All committees, including the center’s board of directors are volunteer-based.
The time commitment varies depending on the activity. Shuttle drivers must be at least 18 years old and must undergo training, as well as background checks. High school students can earn community service credit while working at the craft fair and assisting with pot lucks and lunches.
For more information about volunteering at the Castle Rock Senior Center, call Debbi Haynie at 303-688-9498, e-mail dhaynie@crgov.com, or visit www.castlerockseniorcenter.org.
