He believes that each one of us should spend 20 percent of our time volunteering for the following reasons:

• Volunteering is an opportunity to share one’s skills and talents with others who need such skills and talents. Whatever those talents are, they need to be shared with others.
• Volunteering gives each of us the opportunity to learn new things. You can discover unexpected talents of your own.
• Volunteering provides the opportunity to get outside oneself. For anyone afraid to try something new, volunteering is the chance to learn in a non-threatening environment.
• Volunteering is fun. You meet new people. You experience new things.
• Volunteering gives you the chance to sharpen your skills, whether they are in sales or management or whatever.
• Volunteering is an opportunity to clear your head. It helps you focus on a larger world outside of yourself. Too often each one of us gets trapped inside our self. We focus on what’s inside us and ignore what lies around us.
• Volunteering is an opportunity to make a difference. One person can make all the difference. Be that person. I can’t begin to tell you what an immense impact one volunteer can make.
• Volunteering is a privilege. Being a part of a not-for-profit and its mission is an opportunity that benefits each one of us individually and all of us together.

To all of Mackay’s reasons, I would add one more: Volunteer and you’ll live a longer, happier life.  See our volunteer section every month in Senior News or contact Margaret Kenneally at 651/783-5015.