(Washington D.C., Wednesday, June 3, 2020) – As America responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers of all ages are showing the best of our country. Through Senior Corps, a volunteer program for Americans 55 years and older, many older Americans have found ways to safely volunteer in their communities—even from home. The program is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the government agency for service and volunteering that helps meet the urgent needs and challenges of America’s communities. While the program is known for academic tutoring and mentoring, elderly care, disaster relief support and more, it is adjusting those activities to adapt to current situations.

Deborah Cox-Roush, Director of Senior Corps, urges Americans to recognize these older volunteers and shares how Senior Corps volunteers are currently serving.

SOUNDBITE #1:

SENIOR VOLUNTEERS ARE RESILIENT. EVEN IN THE MIDST OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES AND COUNTRY IN SAFE, CREATIVE WAYS. THEY ARE CALLING TO CHECK IN ON SOCIALLY-ISOLATED NEIGHBORS, READING TO CHILDREN ONLINE, SEWING MASKS, AND MUCH MUCH MORE. NOW, MORE THAN EVER, OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR COUNTRY NEED VOLUNTEERS WITH THE EXPERIENCE AND ENERGY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO VOLUNTEER SAFELY FROM HOME, AND ANYONE WHO HAS THE TIME AND INTEREST CAN BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER.

SOUNDBITE #2:

AS OUR COUNTRY RESPONDS TO A NEW WAY OF LIFE, MANY OLDER ADULTS ARE RESPONDING BY FINDING NEW WAYS TO SAFELY VOLUNTEER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY. OUR COUNTRY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. AS SENIORS VOLUNTEERS SHOW THE BEST OF AMERICA, WE ARE REMINDED THAT YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPORTANT IMPACT AT ANY AGE. FOR ANYONE WHO IS ABLE, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE PART IN SOMETHING BIGGER BY LOOKING INTO SAFE VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

To learn more about safe volunteering, visit SeniorCorps.gov.