10.22.2025
One of the best parts of retirement is finally having time to do things you couldn’t squeeze in before—like volunteering. But finding the right organization is a lot like finding the right job—minus the paycheck and health insurance. How much time is required? Do your skills match the need? Is the environment a good fit?
Five years into retirement, and here's where I've netted out in my volunteering experience:
#1 – Project Linus
If you’re not familiar with this organization, its goal is to collect handmade blankets to distribute to children in foster care. The beauty of Project Linus is its simplicity: no meetings to attend, no dues to pay, no events to staff, no raffle tickets to sell. You just donate blankets you make—something soft and comforting - that will be given to a child so they can take it with them, no matter how many times they move.
There’s no timeline for finishing a blanket. They don’t care what color yarn you choose or that you use the same stitch for every blanket. There’s no quota for how many you have to complete each year, either. I usually crochet while I watch TV at night, and when I’ve finished three or four blankets, I give them to my friend, Beth, who drops them off at the local children’s hospital for me. They take it from there.
It fits my volunteering goals perfectly—and oddly, because there are so few demands, I find myself working extra hard to meet and even exceed my own donation goals.
#2 – Community Theatre
From crocheting to center stage—literally—my next volunteer gig couldn’t be more different. My local community theatre runs lean, so as long as I remind myself of the scope of my responsibilities when I accept a directing gig, it’s ideal. (I’ve already blogged about my upcoming show, so you know how excited I am to get started!)
When I’m not directing, I serve as an advisor to the artistic/managing director. Since that role is mostly on an as-needed basis, it fits nicely into my schedule too.
#3 – Animal Rescue
My newest cause: an animal rescue group whose mission I passionately believe in. This time, I’ve made it clear what I am—and am not—willing to do. I’m happy to do data entry, or work a table at an event, but I’m not prepared to foster or adopt. If the pressure to do so continues, I’ll keep supporting the group through donations but step back from any hands-on involvement.
(I've already purchased two of their T-shirts and contributed toward the surgery for one of the animals, so I’d say they pretty much have me locked in.)
#4 – The Hardest Goodbye
The last one is a tough one. I’ve belonged to a nonprofit for several years and have invested a great deal of time, talent, and energy into one of its major initiatives. I’ve also become good friends with some of my fellow board members. But it’s abundantly clear that the organization is moving in a direction that doesn’t align with my own vision for it.
And while it pains me to step away, I’ve realized that staying is detrimental to both the board and myself. They deserve support for their strategy—and in my heart and mind, I cannot offer that support any more.
I learned the importance of stepping away from a position that wasn't right for me decades ago when I worked for a company where I so strongly disagreed with its strategic direction that I went to HR to express my concerns. (How young and naïve could I have been?)
After listening to my long-winded lament, the HR rep said, “You know, Kate, working here is optional. You don’t have to stay if you’re unhappy.”
That moment changed me because I grew up in a family and community where no one I knew was happy at their job. Everyone—parents included—worked in factories, sweat shops, or other physically demanding, low-paying positions, and complaining about their work was what they did during the 16 hours they weren't at their place of employment. But they never, ever left those jobs.
Until that HR conversation, it hadn’t occurred to me that I could leave a company that wasn't right for me —that I could give myself permission to walk away, even if the pay was decent and the benefits hard to beat.
But I did leave, and I ended up working in healthcare where I spent five of the most fulfilling years of my professional career.
So, I’ve given myself permission to leave this group, too. I submitted my letter of resignation this past Monday. Even though I know it was the right decision, it still wasn't easy; but I’m filled with gratitude for the chance to help organize their data, raise funds, and spread awareness for a good cause. And I sincerely hope the organization continues to succeed, whatever their strategy may be—because it is such a critical community resource.
As for me - I guess I’ll see if there's another group that could use my obession for organizing data via Excel spreadsheets. If not, well—winter is coming, which means longer nights of binge-watching and more time for crocheting.
Maybe I’ll learn a new stitch. Or maybe not. Those granny squares aren’t as easy to make as you might think.
“Hello, Goodbye,” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, performed by The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour, 1967.
Recently I left an organization where I've volunteered for four years. It was a good opportunity to meet people in this new (to me) community. I was energized by creating order from their chaotic e-files. I was born to tidy things. They have had recent financial and organizational chaos. In August, the Executive Director launched a capital improvement campaign with a goal of $750,000. In September she told us in a staff meeting that there is not enough money for operating funds through the end of the year. Several board members began interviewing paid staff in accusatory and demeaning conversations. I told the ED that I had lost confidence in the organization and resigned. A few weeks ago, the entire board resigned, followed quickly by the ED. I don't plan to return, although I hope the new board is successful. Maybe I should learn to crochet.