by Tracy Thomas

Created on: June 05, 2008   Last Updated: June 11, 2008

The Corporation for National & Community Service has cited several longitudinal studies that outline the health benefits of volunteering. These benefits include greater longevity, lower rates of depression, higher functional ability and a lower incidence of heart disease. If you are one of more than 555,000 baby boomers that live in the Sacramento area then numerous positive health inducing volunteer opportunities await you. Crime report writer, library assistant, gardener, museum docent, dog walker or cat socializer are but a few of the volunteer positions available in this region.

If you have reached the 50-something mark on the baby boomer scale then RSVP, or Retired Senior Volunteer Program, will match you with the perfect volunteer opportunity. RSVP is a nonprofit corporation that is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service and is attached to the National Senior Service Corporation. With over 160 different public and nonprofit agencies enrolled with RSVP, volunteers have benefited the greater Sacramento area by putting in over 150,000 hours of volunteer time annually. Without these RSVP volunteers many needed services in the region would not be performed.

The California State Military Museum, Habitat for Humanity, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, and the Sacramento Food Bank are some of the organizations and venues registered with RSVP that eagerly await your volunteer time. If your love is gardening you might just find your match in the native plant restoration project offered through Effie Yeaw. Are you a military veteran? Then the Military Museum located on Second Street in Old Town can provide multiple options to fit your desires. If you are a mother, becoming a Mentor for the Mother and Baby program is a wonderful option. Do you love animals? You can put hours in as a kennel assistant, animal adoption counselor, provide horse care or become a Love on Loan volunteer.

Whatever your interests, RSVP can set you on the path towards personal satisfaction, a meaningful contribution and improved mental and physical health. For more information about RSVP opportunities visit their website at www.rsvpsacramento.org or give them a call at
(916) 875-3631.

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