The Senior Center of South Pearl River County is a place that offers a plethora of events but to that it needs more funding. That’s why staff continuously encourage people in the community to contribute to the operation of this worthwhile facility so it can continue to make the lives of senior citizens better.

Currently, the center is participating in a matching funding campaign in partnership with St. Michael’s Foundation to assist in the continued funding of programs. Those donations also help keep the bills for the facility’s electricity, water and other utilities paid.

It’s comforting to know that people within the community are willing to put forth a helping hand to help better the lives of someone they probably will never know.

Initiatives like these take me back to a time when I volunteered in my hometown and help me reminisce about the things I learned while serving the community. When I first became a volunteer it was for an organization serving children with disabilities. When I started out, I assumed it wouldn’t be too hard assisting children. Needless to say, that wasn’t the case. Those children were forced into circumstances they had no choice in, and that meant they led different lives.

I found it interesting to see how those kids didn’t have expectations from anyone. While I only volunteered with the organization six months, I gained a great understanding that underprivileged people want nothing more than to make that connection with someone. I learned that volunteering is a great way to give them the feeling of having their very own family, even if it’s just for a day. Volunteering gave me a sense of peace and fulfillment, and while I wasn’t able to give them anything material, at least I could make someone smile for a short time.

These simple joys are what you can get by simply extending a helping hand to a stranger. So, if you find a good cause, do not hesitate to become involved.