By Diana Choquette

Keeping our brains healthy as we age is a common concern these days. We are exhorted to eat certain foods, take various supplements, solve puzzles, get our exercise, learn new things, etc. Just as I was about to start writing this article, I read of a new study indicating our little gray cells may be damaged if we don’t get up from our chairs every 30 minutes. Yet another study recently reported by the AARP, showed that people over 60 who volunteered helping others for 100 hours in a year (just two hours a week) scored about six percent higher in cognitive testing than non-volunteers. So, to the long list of things to do to keep your brain healthy, you can now add volunteering!
Would such a small improvement in cognitive skills motivate people to volunteer? Thinking about it made me wonder what motivated the Carquinez Village volunteers to pick our organization. What keeps them responding to requests from our senior members for rides here and there, friendly phone calls, or a little help around the house?
So, I checked the village volunteer applications to see why people said they wanted to share their time with our members. A quick compilation of the responses revealed that helping older people was mentioned most often. One woman wants to “give happiness to an older person.” Others want to “serve local people” or “provide needed services.” Several seemed motivated by the exchange factor—“give before you receive” or “give back to the community.” Important to many others is that they believe in the concept, are impressed with Carquinez Village, find it worthwhile, or the volunteering meaningful. With attitudes like that, I imagine all our volunteers must have very happy little gray cells!
It’s one thing to imagine how great it would be to volunteer for a particular organization, but after a while, why do people keep at it? Several Village volunteers responded to an email asking them that question. Through their experiences they had developed more specific and personal reasons for volunteering. One woman wrote, “I love the conversations that I get to have with members while we are driving and sitting at appointments. I get to hear about people, places and experiences that shaped their lives.” Another gets to indulge her love of driving and pleasure in meeting new folks. They all in some way noted they are doing something meaningful, even spiritually deepening. Craig Gibbons put it so well, “What keeps me going are the members who I have been able to assist._They are kind, funny, lovely individuals who talk about their families and daily life, and share many stories they have accumulated over their lifetime. Without exception, they are so appreciative for the assistance.” Lastly, a woman who attended one of our first meetings in early 2015, going on to become a member and volunteer, noted other organizations in Benicia that help older folks, but she considers “Carquinez Village the icing on this cake, it really does let us live our lives so much better.”
Are you looking for a meaningful way to be involved in your community? Or, maybe you want to improve you cognitive skills. Carquinez Village just might be the place for you. There are many volunteering options, both serving our members and keeping the organization going. Check us out at carquinezvillage.com, where you can download a Volunteer Application. You are also invited to attend our next volunteer meeting on September 18, from 1:30-3:00 pm at Heritage Community Church. You’ll have a chance to ask questions.
Our next volunteer training will be on Nov. 13. For more information, please email  carquinezvillagevolunteer@gmail.com or call 297-2472 . Our little gray cells will be happy to hear from you!

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