The Newest Seniors At Schools Around The Country Are Volunteers Not Students

According to the most recent Del Webb Baby Boomer Survey, 60 to 70 percent of 55 and 64-year-olds surveyed said they are or plan to participate in volunteer activities.  Most cited "personal fulfillment," "giving back to the community," and "helping others" as the main reasons why volunteerism was so important. 

As the leading builder of active adult communities, Del Webb has seen hundreds of examples of residents' volunteering and getting involved.  At Sun City Carolina Lakes, the community's Woodworkers Guild formed a relationship with the Trades Department at Indian Land High School.  A host of volunteers teach various projects in the woodworking area of the shop – from teaching basic materials and design skills to turning ball point pens on a lathe and making wooden cutting boards, bowls and tool boxes.

"These volunteers give their wealth of knowledge and talent so these kids can learn skills that will very well help them for many years to come," said Mark Bonda, building construction instructor at the high school.  "The partnership and experience they bring to the table is indispensable to the school.  We would not be able to teach what we teach and offer the tools in the shop without their involvement."

The Del Webb residents also talk to the students about career planning, help update curriculum and sit on the advisory board for the high school.  They recently collected funds to donate a special table saw that has a stopping mechanism that will not allow it to cut through flesh, Bonda said.

For volunteers like those with the Woodworkers Guild, the Del Webb community lifestyle provides many outlets for people seeking ways to give back to the community.

"When we deliver the school supplies, the principals and teachers are thrilled and sometimes overcome with emotion at the generosity of our Del Webb residents," said Michele Ramsey, who lives in Del Webb's Sun City Mesquite north of Las Vegas.  She and others in the community collect supplies for three schools in the area and residents also volunteer in the classroom.  "We read stories, assist in the classroom, help chaperone field trips and even work with the kids on science experiments.  There's never an end to the ways you can give back."

About Del WebbDel Webb is a national brand of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM).  Del Webb, the pioneer of active adult retirement communities, is America's leading builder of developments for people ages 55+.  Since 1960, Del Webb has redefined retirement and retirement living by meeting the housing and lifestyle needs of the active Baby Boomer.  Del Webb's amenities and program offerings provide residents an engaging environment, which fulfills their creative, social, physical fitness and intellectual needs as they journey into the next chapter in their lives – whether it means retirement or still working.  Del Webb has grown to more than 50 communities currently open for new home sales in 20 states.  For more information on Del Webb, visit www.delwebb.com.  To learn more about how to plan a smart future, check out financial tools at www.delwebb.com/value.

SOURCE Del Webb

Copyright 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

« First ‹ Previous 1 2