By: Charlene Hunter James
It’s been said that volunteers are seldom paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.
At least 63 million Americans volunteered their time in 2014, according to The Corporation for National and Community Service. Of those heroes, nearly 1 in 5 were African-Americans of all ages.
Volunteerism in the African-American community is a high priority to Naomi Andrews of Houston. Now 76 and retired, she has been volunteering her entire adult life, sometimes juggling her volunteer commitments with the challenges of law school, raising children and holding a job.
“It’s very important that we reach out and help somebody else and bring somebody up,” said Andrews. “I was always exposed to professional people. People need to know that someone cares enough to give of their time to make their lives better.”
Andrews remains eager to serve. She volunteered with Women in Action, The Houston Symphony, her alma mater Texas Southern University, the Youth Freedom Institute, among other organizations. She says her parents taught her to give back, and she instilled that same spirit in her four children who are now grown.
The Andrews family is not alone in its quest to make its communities better. Getting involved in civic matters is also a priority for 16-year-old Jakobi Robinson. He not only volunteers with young students at his mother’s elementary school, but he also volunteers with AARP.
“My mother taught me that our society is only as strong as its weakest link,” Robinson said. “I want to help strengthen that link by being a good role model and letting young students at her school know anything in life is possible.”
Managing academics, athletics and volunteerism can be a challenge, but this Strake Jesuit Sophomore from Houston said it’s all worth it in the end.
“Working alongside seniors at AARP has also been a blessing,” he said. “The knowledge and years of experience I have access to is priceless. These individuals have ‘been there’ and ‘done that’ and I work with them, that’s awesome.”
Andrews and Robinson join the ranks of other African-American volunteers who serve their communities. They often volunteer while also meeting the challenges of balancing their career and family lives. But their services make a difference. And while it’s not financially rewarding, volunteering brings other rewards for volunteers and the communities in which they serve.
AARP is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that offers many volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Learn how you can get involved at www.aarp.org/volunteer or by calling 1-888-687-2277.
