Pathfinder Series | Community | tucson.com

Carol Levine loved her 30 years of teaching high school English in New Jersey and after she retired, she found she really missed it. Fortunately for Senior Village, when she became one of our early volunteers in 2016, she brought that passion with her and it continues to this day.

After retiring, Carol and her husband took road trips to find the perfect place to move. At the time, they were both active runners, and they purposefully traveled during the least desirable months to California, Phoenix and even Florida in the summer (which they found too humid for their active lifestyles). After her husband read an article not only listing SaddleBrooke as one of the 20 best places to retire but that some people who were below retirement age were allowed in, they visited Southern Arizona and were smitten.

After moving here, Carol ran nine full marathons along with a number of half-marathons, 10ks and 5ks. Now her hobbies include playing bridge (she’s played with the same people for years), canasta, Mah-jongg and being an active member of the same book club she started years ago.

Today, she’s the team leader for Friendly Connections, a busy group that includes making cheery birthday calls every month for those celebrating an 80th birthday, does home visits and if you’re alone and just home from the hospital, will appear at your door with four to five prepared meals.

Last month, 12 volunteers, from a group of 18 to 20 people who call, made 131 birthday calls. “It’s a lovely job,” Carol says, “because people are always so thrilled.” Volunteers call from their own telephones and if the phone isn’t picked up because the number isn’t recognized or for whatever reason, they’ll leave a birthday message. “People who call love doing it,” she says, “because they feel as though they’re helping someone have a better day than they would have had if they hadn’t called.” Some volunteers also make birthday cards or help with birthday parties which fall under a different Senior Village team.

Another 12 to 15 volunteers do home visits, usually lasting an hour, that help members stay in touch and socialize. People who request the non-medical visits must be mentally and physically healthy. As with all of the Senior Village teams, a call will begin with a member calling the central number and will then receive a call back from a volunteer to schedule a time for the service. The conversation for home visits usually begins with a simple question, “What do you like to do?” The visit might entail just sitting and talking or playing a game.

Carol offers this sage advice on volunteering with Senior Village, “You shouldn’t be afraid to try. Forget the fear of doing something wrong. You’re going to make someone happy and will be part of the positive, wonderful feedback we get from the community,” she says. “And you’re not only helping people, but you’re helping yourself!”