In this episode, Lee Gale Gruen explores how volunteering can play a powerful role in creating purpose, connection, and fulfillment in retirement. She highlights the wide range of opportunities available—from working directly with people to behind‑the‑scenes roles—and emphasizes the importance of choosing activities that align with personal interests and passions. Through relatable examples, she shows how volunteering not only helps others but also enriches one’s own life by fostering social connections, learning new skills, and maintaining an active, engaged lifestyle. This video offers practical encouragement for retirees to step outside their comfort zones, get involved in their communities, and discover meaningful ways to stay connected and purposeful.
Lee Gale Gruen is a regular Podcast contributor for The Transitions Network. She is an actress, author, speaker, and blogger. She focuses on how retirees can customize their retirement to fit their own personalities, interests, and comfort level.
WEBSITE: https://leegalegruen.com
EMAIL: gowergulch@yahoo.com
BLOG: “Reinventing Yourself in Your Retirement Years”:https://leegalegruen.wordpress.com
BOOKS ON AMAZON.COM:
“Reinventing Yourself in Your Retirement Years: Find Joy, Excitement, and Purpose After You Retire” https://tinyurl.com/33x9vmcx
“Adventures with Dad: A Father and Daughter’s Journey Through a Senior Acting Class” https://tinyurl.com/5d3yycjw
Click to see the Full Transcript
Neil Rerup (00:01.88)
Volunteering is a wonderful way for retirees to get involved in an interesting activity and to give back to the community at the same time. Another benefit is that you can make new friends who enjoy the same activity that you do. There are so many volunteering opportunities available in every community, enough to fit
every personality type and comfort level. The secret is to volunteer at something that is interesting and exciting to you. That way it can become a passion and motivate you to embrace life, a theme I stress repeatedly on this podcast and in my speeches and blogs. Are you a people person? If so,
then you might choose a pursuit that brings you in contact with humans, such as at the help desk, at a local hospital, museum, police or sheriff’s station, et cetera. I’m a people person. I love to perform and I love science and animals. When I used to live in Los Angeles, the world famous La Brea Tar Pits was nearby. So I volunteered.
to guide tour groups around the grounds of the tar pits and inside its concomitant page museum. My talk was like performing a monologue in front of an audience. The group members were all so appreciative and I loved the experience. It was definitely a win-win for everyone involved.
To be effective, I had to study about paleontology, a subject about which I knew very little. It proved to be so interesting that I soon became passionate about it. The whole experience was exceptionally rewarding. Maybe you’re a one-on-one person. My dog and I used to be a pet therapy team, visiting patients at a local hospital.
Neil Rerup (02:24.387)
Maybe you’re the reserved private type. There are lots of behind the scenes volunteer activities. I had a friend who used to volunteer in what was called the Bone Room of the Local Natural History Museum, sorting and cataloging ancient animal bones. Maybe you like children. You might volunteer in a classroom at a nearby grammar school.
Do you like animals? There are lots of volunteer opportunities at local animal shelters or animal rescue organizations. An acquaintance used to be a tour guide at the zoo. If you like art, check out the local art museum. Here are a few more ideas where you might volunteer. Public gardens, local festivals, theaters, aquariums,
senior centers, etc. Just drive around your town and see what piques your interest. Then get on the phone, call them, and ask if they are seeking volunteers. Better yet, go in person. Ask friends, acquaintances, neighbors, or the librarian for ideas of where to volunteer locally. Or check the internet. I know it may be difficult
embarrassing or uncomfortable. But think of the end goal, the enjoyment of the activity, and the opportunity to connect with others who share that same interest. I’m LeGail Gruen. I hope you’ll visit me again here on my podcast, Retirement Made to Order, hosted by The Transitions Network. I will be posting a new podcast twice a week.
Feel free to contact me if you want to comment on any of my podcasts. You’ll find my email address in the information that follows or in the description at the beginning of this podcast, along with links to my website, my blog, and my two books on Amazon.com. Goodbye for now.