PITTSBORO — There are vertebrates, and then there are invertebrates.
Linda Saum knows that a Chatham County Council on Aging minus its robust volunteer corps results in a team less able to respond to the needs of a burgeoning senior population.
What about with outreach programs such as Meals on Wheels, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program? Without volunteer assistance, these efforts — and others — slow to a sluggish crawl and are unable to stand on two feet.
“The volunteers provide the backbone of the Council on Aging as far as the way we can deliver the programs to the participants,” Saum said. “They’re the means to the end, basically.”
Akin to a maestro, Saum, the Council’s volunteer coordinator, directs the efforts of this orchestra of some 200 members on a daily basis. While the SHIIP and VITA programs are more seasonal offerings, the Meals on Wheels program, five days a week, strikes at the heartbeat of the Council.
Volunteers serve as the eyes and ears for staff while engaging these homebound senior meal recipients in conversation. They will also notice small intricacies that may yield clues that further follow-up is needed or a client is unwell.
“They are very diligent about their people,” Saum said of the Council’s array of volunteers. “They know when something is off. Someone may not spot when someone is not feeling well, but that volunteer will.”
While the call for volunteers is constant, the need is amplified within the Meals on Wheels program. Substitute drivers can become necessary within the span of a week, leaving Saum or other Council staff as the final line of defense to ensure that meals are received. Therefore, the depth of the substitute base becomes critical.
“If there are two routes that don’t have a driver, then I’m looking to staff to help cover those,” Saum said. “Most of the time, the volunteers are good about letting me know ahead of time. But sometimes, I’ll get a call from six volunteers in one week that they can’t do it, and now I’m looking for six substitutes!”
For those apprehensive about volunteering for the SHIIP and VITA programs, free training is available and no specific background or area of expertise is required. SHIIP assists seniors in making informed decisions about their Medicare supplements, while VITA provides free tax assistance to those who qualify based on income. While the Council generally serves the 60-and-over population, there is no age restriction to be a VITA client.
“The VITA team, they definitely mentor new people,” Saum said. “We had two or three new people this year that were very apprehensive about it, but VITA is done in a big room and they all help each other.”
Volunteers find rewards in their labor and quickly build connections with clients, particularly in the Meals on Wheels program.
“We have some long-term volunteers — way longer than I’ve been here,” Saum said. “They form those attachments. When we have to change a route, let’s say somebody comes into a home and they’re not on the route anymore or unfortunately, they pass away, it affects the volunteers greatly. Although they are grateful to meet someone new, they’re concerned about the person that is no longer there.”
Indeed, loyalty and dedication to a worthwhile cause stir and create a sense of purpose. Whether it’s a Meals on Wheels driver, a SHIIP counselor, a VITA preparer, or someone assisting in activities at centers in Pittsboro and Siler City, one phone call is usually all it takes.
“Once you connect with the Council, and this has been my experience personally, you’re invested,” Saum said. “You’re invested in these folks, and you feel that you’re doing a great service by providing them help.”
For more information regarding volunteerism at the Council, call 919-542-4512 or email Saum at linda.saum@chathamcoa.org.