An Unsung Community Hero- Volunteering
By: Laurence Tabanao Gayao MD
Since the start of the COVID pandemic, I and my wife Edith haven’t had an extended vacation. My medical school class was supposed to have our 50th Anniversary celebration during the 2021 UERMMMC College of Medicine Home Coming but they canceled it. Our class waited 2 years to celebrate our 50th anniversary in the second week of February of this year. There were 28 of us who made to the reunion. After our school Gala, we all went to Tagaytay to celebrate. I was excited to see many of my classmates, especially those in the Philippines who I have had not seen for 52 years.
After 10 days in Manila we proceed to our vacation home in Iligan city in south Philippines. Iligan is a highly urbanized city in Northern Mindanao and is the industrial center of the Southern Philippines. It is best known for the large number of waterfalls concentrated in the area and is aptly called the City of Majestic Waterfalls. It is the hometown of Edith and my younger brother who is a local general surgeon.
After a day’s rest, Edith and I started our early morning walking exercise routine. Beside our vacation home is a designated morning walking street called Dona Teodora Blvd. that is closed to motor vehicle traffic from 5 to 8 am. It is open to everyone. On the first morning we meet a longtime friend Jesus Dy Jr. (Dodong) going around with a plastic gathering trash people carelessly threw around the area. This is not the first time we’ve seen him doing this as we have observed him do it during our previous vacations.
We stopped to chat with him, and told him we appreciated him volunteering his service to keep the neighborhood clean. He smiled and thank us, but he lamented wishing more local citizens and local government officials would take an effort to keep the area clean. Dodong, as is fondly called by those who know him, is a lifelong resident of Iligan city. He retired from Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation who is married to Evelyn Somoso-Dy a retired auditor National Power Corporation. They have been living in their home in Dona Teodora Blvd. for the last 45 years. Most people who walk and run in this street know him for his work.
For taking the initiative to keep the neighborhood clean consistently for years, Dodong, deserves big shout-out. One of the well-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Even helping with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need. And volunteering is a two-way street: It can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.
Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of volunteering, especially if you’re retired. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times. Working with pets and other animals has also shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Volunteering is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.
Through the years, I have observed many retired folks who volunteer in their communities or other places being involved in medical missions, disaster relief efforts, and other endeavors find a sense of purpose for their lives and appear happier and satisfied with life.
I remember seeing an 88-year-old patient for the first time. She appeared well dressed and had a bubbly personality. After introducing myself, I asked, “What could help you with?” She replied, “I am alright and just need a medical checkup.” During the interview, I ask her what she did in her typical week was. She quickly replied: “Sunday is mostly for church activities and friends. Monday, I drive to the next town hangout with friends and play bridge. Tuesday, I spend at home attending to my garden and house work, Wednesday is free time and for church. Thursday, I volunteer at the nursing center attending to the old folks.,,,” At 88 years, she still volunteers her time helping old folks at the nursing home!
“Volunteerism is the voice of the people in action.” Helen Dyer
How true this is. When people really care about something, they will act. Politicians should pay attention to this.
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” Helen Keller
