come yesterday ,” Bridges said . The COVID-19 pandemic impacted everything , especially volunteer-based organizations .
While grappling with the pandemic , adults , regardless of age , gender and employment status , stepped up to help others . According to a United Nations Volunteers report , informal volunteerism grew during the height of the crisis . Neighbors helped neighbors without organizations or government direction . Formal volunteering also grew as people could focus on the immediate needs of their communities .
Locally the pandemic caused organizations to adjust how they served their clients . For volunteers , that meant wearing masks to protect each other ’ s health and spending less time interacting with clients .
“ When COVID hit , we started loading cars instead of people coming in ,” Bridges recalled . “ After COVID , man , I could see it got serious . Everybody got more tuned in , and the focus got important , really important .”
Bridges noted some of the extra benefits he gets from volunteering four days a week , three to six hours a day .
“ You don ’ t need to go to the gym if you work here ,” Bridges said . “ I knew that would be good for me at my age , being retired now . It was also therapy for me , you know , to get off the couch and keep moving .”
While the holiday season can be a time of great joy for many , it can also be a great time of need for some . Consider donating your time as a volunteer to a local nonprofit organization that helps make our community special . SwOk
STORY BY : Chris Peters Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
PHOTOS : Provided
TOP : In addition to their delivery route , John and Chellee Stiennon volunteer in the kitchen to help load hot meals into coolers that will keep seven meals hot until they are delivered to their clients .
CENTER : Lisa and Steven enjoy the feeling they get when helping others . “ You talk to these folks , and you feel good about what you ’ ve done for them ,” Cundiff said . “ So it ’ s a real fulfilling process .”
BOTTOM : Even those new to Stillwater have found opportunities to give their time . John and Chellee Stiennon recently moved from Las Vegas , where they spent their careers in the hospitality industry , to retire in Stillwater . They knew volunteering was the best way to get to know and serve their new community .
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