National Volunteer Week is April 23-29. This week is also the kickoff for Eastern Agency on Aging’s Volunteer Recognition events, which go through the spring.

As Roberta Macko, director of volunteer services for Eastern Agency on Aging, gets busy planning and preparing for these parties, I am reminded just how special EAA’s volunteers are.

I think of what life would be like without them and I shudder. There would be no home-delivered meal program, so just how would the frail and homebound elders get adequate nutrition? There would be no Eaa-Z Fix It minor home repair program without tool-wielding volunteers who make it their business to help make seniors’ homes safer.

From serving as Matter of Balance coaches teaching seniors how to reduce their fall risk to educating Medicare beneficiaries on the ins and outs of the program, EAA has something for everyone. And we always need more. Openings for volunteers pop up all time.

“Currently Meals for Me needs some substitute home delivery drivers, and we really need drivers on Fridays,” said Macko. “And I would love to have someone to help me with the Volunteer Recognitions. There is a lot to do for these parties – we have one in most areas that we serve – and having help organizing them would be great.”

Parties not your thing? Are you good in an emergency? Share that skill with us. We need people to distribute emergency preparedness information to senior housing and to speak with resident seniors on how to stay safe in an emergency situation.

And then there is the Maine Medicare Education Partnership program that uses volunteers to educate seniors on ways to prevent Medicare abuse and fraud. No special knowledge is required – we will provide training.

“I am constantly amazed at the variety of people who volunteer,” said Macko. “There are many different levels of education, skills and interests among them. I am also amazed at the level of commitment these dedicated people are willing to make, and in awe of the amount of hours they are eager to give.”

But Macko is quick to point out that any amount of time the volunteer is able to give is helpful and appreciated.

“I think that some people would like to volunteer but are afraid of the time commitment,” she said. “They think that if they can’t give a lot, than there is no point in volunteering at all, but that is simply not true. And becoming a volunteer for Eastern Agency is a relatively simple process.”

Here’s how it works. First, a prospective volunteer completes an application and then chats with Macko, either in person or by phone, about available opportunities.

After determining the individual’s area of interest, she makes a referral to the appropriate program coordinator. Those who become volunteers will receive an orientation to the agency and its programs, as well as any specific training related to their placement. The most important qualification required for becoming a volunteer at Eastern Agency is a strong desire to help an elderly person in need.

“Volunteering is very important because there are many needs out there,” said Macko. “Our volunteers have helped thousands of people and logged many thousands of hours and miles. They give untold peace of mind to the people EAA serves. I hear all the time from the volunteers how happy they are to be volunteering, and how much they love the work they do. And that makes me happy.”

If you have some extra time and would like to make a difference in the community, call 941-2865 and ask for Roberta Macko. The life you change could be your own.

Carol Higgins is director of communication at Eastern Agency on Aging. For more information on EAA, call 941-2865, e-mail info@eaaa.org, or log on www.eaaa.org.