Give by Giving Back: Volunteerism

I had the privilege of joining a team of corporate volunteers at the home of Mrs. W. for an SCS HOMES (Home Owner Maintenance and Enhancement for Seniors) project. Mrs. W. is a 66 year-old retiree of the state government where she worked for 34 years. She lives alone in a home she purchased in the mid-1960s, now filled with great memories of raising her family. While the volunteers were painting, landscaping, and wrapping her pipes with winterizing material, she entertained us with stories about the growth and change of Atlanta. A walking encyclopedia of local history, she made each of us feel that Atlanta was more of a large neighborhood than an impersonal city of bricks and mortar. Her “payment” for the kindness that the volunteers showed her that day, she said, was her lifelong devotion to community volunteerism – that she will continue until she is no longer able. A very vibrant woman, Mrs. W. says she “pays back” by volunteering at community centers, a park, schools, and her church.

Do you know someone who has the inspiring spirit of Mrs. W.? Would you like to help volunteer at SCS? Please check our web site for a multitude of worthwhile opportunities. Thank you.

-- By Brad Catherman
Vice President, Gift Planning

Annual Meals On Wheels Atlanta Golf Tournament

Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta will hold its 9th Annual Meals On Wheels Atlanta Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 at the historic Capital City Club at Crabapple. Last year’s tournament proceeds directly translated into nearly 17,000 meals for homebound and frail seniors in Atlanta.

Once again, this year’s tournament will feature the world-renowned Capital City Crabapple Golf Course, the oldest club in the city, tracing its origins back to 1883. The Crabapple golf course is a Tom Fazio design located on the county line between Cherokee and Fulton Counties. The 7,137-yard, par-72 layout has been the site of many tournaments including the American Express World Championship in which Tiger Woods was the eventual champion.

More than $93,000 has been raised so far this year. It’s not too late to register and play. Go to www.scsatl.org for more information.

-- by Steve Hargrove, Director of Events and Marketing

Laughter: the best medicine!

We often hear that “laughter is the best medicine.” While we wouldn’t argue with that statement from a common sense point of view, we now have growing scientific evidence that this is most certainly true. More than 70% of illnesses are related to stress including high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, anxiety, psychosomatic disorders, migraines, allergies, peptic ulcers -- the list goes on. When you are under stress, adrenalin is secreted, but when you laugh, the adrenalin level goes down and the cumulative effect of stress is minimized.

Modern studies on happiness (and laughing) reveal that happy people are more energetic, decisive, creative, social, trusting, loving, and responsive. Studies have revealed that children laugh over 300 times a day whereas adults laugh only 15 times. “Laugh and be well,” as the saying goes, is now a proven medical fact. When was the last time you had a good laugh?

By Brad Catherman
Vice President, Gift Planning
Senior Citizen Services