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Celebrating DOROT Volunteers for Volunteer Appreciation Month

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and we’re thrilled to take this time to celebrate our dedicated volunteers!

Since our founding 45 years ago, DOROT has relied on the kindness of volunteers to step forward to be agents of change, creating a world where compassionate people of all ages come together to ensure that older adults feel a sense of community and well-being.

Each year, over 6,000 volunteers ranging in age from 5-98—a truly intergenerational effort!--give their time to DOROT.

Since the pandemic began, DOROT volunteers have stepped up like never before. Volunteers delivered packages and meals and connected safely with isolated seniors for the Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving and Passover Holidays. They made weekly Caring Calls, forming new friendships, and created handmade cards to celebrate birthdays and holidays. They helped older adults by running errands, teaching tech skills – like using FaceTime and Zoom – and made appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations.

You can find profiles and quotes from DOROT volunteers on our social media pages throughout the month and read some reflections from one volunteer below.

Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers!

Volunteer Spotlight

Julia Banfill, Summer Teen Internship College Intern; Academic Year Intern for Intergenerational Program Engagement

“Volunteering means engaging in Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world. What I love most about volunteering is the reciprocity. While I volunteer my time and serve the community, the community introduces me to each person’s unique experiences and stories. DOROT has taught me the importance of not waiting for someone or something to come along and make the world a better place, but for each of us to do our part in creating change.

I found out about DOROT when I was searching for a summer internship last year. DOROT's mission really spoke to me, and I immediately applied. I was a college intern for the Intergenerational Program Engagement Department's Summer Teen Internship program, and then I came back as a college intern this fall!

I have loved every second of my journey with DOROT and I have learned so much from my amazing supervisors and the rest of the staff.

I have actually never been to DOROT in person before! I began interning in the summer of 2020, so all of my experiences with DOROT have been virtual. I hope to visit the building soon when everything is back to normal!” – Julia Banfill