Sue Mangers: Volunteering for Interlakes Community Caregivers very rewarding

To The Daily Sun,

When I finally reached retirement, I thoroughly enjoyed relaxing and having leisure time to myself, such a feeling of freedom. While it was delightful, after six months, I started searching for ways to give back to my community and discovered Interlakes Community Caregivers Inc. 

The kind volunteers of ICCI support the independence, safety, comfort and dignity of adult neighbors in Center Harbor, Meredith, Moultonborough and Sandwich, and our neighbors are some of the sweetest people I've ever met. As readers can imagine, if one no longer drives, living in the Lakes Region can be a challenge.

So, how do volunteers help? Volunteers provide rides for medical and personal appointments, grocery shopping and errands. Friendly visits have also returned to help break up some days that may feel long and a bit lonely.

How does the process work? Once a week, ICCI emails volunteers an “Open Rides List” of neighbors who need assistance. Volunteers check the list, compare with their own schedule and sign up in the portal for the rides that work for them. There is no pressure or minimum to provide rides. The volunteer can pick up as many, or as few, as they have time for.

What's in it for me? I have found volunteering at ICCI incredibly rewarding by helping neighbors, who are generally so independent, and I have made many new friends among both volunteers and neighbors. If this organization sounds interesting, check the website for more details and contact information interlakescares.org. We truly make a meaningful difference in many lives, and we have fun.

Sue Mangers

Meredith