Meaningful volunteer opportunity: Become a long-time partner

Chris Szalay, program coordinator for Catholic Charities' SEARCH program, spoke at the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club meeting on Thursday, Jan. 25. SEARCH stands for Seek Elderly at Home. SEARCH is run by Catholic Charities of Maine, but is non-denominational and will provide a volunteer for seniors of all income levels who need someone to visit with them once a week

SEARCH is a program that pairs a volunteer with a senior who is living at home and needs companionship as well as a bit of help with things like transportation or grocery shopping. Chris does a good job of pairing volunteers with people with whom they're congenial. The goal is for the two to form a bond that may last for years. This is a very different kind of volunteering than when you offer to drive different people around, or help a series of folks by delivering meals to them. For the volunteer, the connection is very satisfying and often life-changing.

Chris pointed out that, although we have many services available to seniors who live on the Boothbay peninsula--such as our Senior Community Navigator and our People Helping People program, and the District Nurse, and Meals on Wheels--there is still a need for the deep connection that is formed by pairing a volunteer with a senior who lives alone and is homebound. She encouraged Rotarians and others to consider volunteering with SEARCH. To do so, contact Chris at cszalay@ccmaine.org, or call her at 207-837-8810.

Coming up

Thursday, Feb. 1, Dwight Swisher will speak about climate change

Thursday, Feb. 8, Valentine's Dinner

Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Rotary Interact Club will provide a community spaghetti dinner at the Rotary Club as a fundraiser. Come and eat with us, or enjoy take-out.

Thursday, Feb 15, Dr. Steve Feder will talk about immunizations and polio.

Wednesday, Feb 21, Rotary Fellowship at the Thistle from 5 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 22, Bob MacKenzie will tell us about the Rotary District 7780 Opioid Task Force

Wed, March 14, Rotary Fellowship at the Carriage House from 5 p.m.

To learn more about Rotary and about our Club and all the good things we do, visit our website: www.boothbayharborrotary.org, or "friend" us on Facebook. Prospective members, visiting Rotarians and guests are always welcome to join us at our weekly meetings, held Thursday nights at the Rotary Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Road in Boothbay Harbor. Conviviality commences around 6 p.m., dinner is served promptly at 6:30, and we then have a short business meeting followed by a special speaker. The evening ends at 8 p.m.