(By MATT PIKE)

Young at Heart Resources, the area agency for aging in northwest Missouri, is launching a program to help make retirement fun, introducing retirees to volunteer opportunities in the region. 

The Give 5 Program helps to connect retirees with volunteer opportunities, allowing people to be able to socialize, contribute, and learn new skills as well as be able to share their own lifetime of experiences and meet new people while making a difference in their communities or throughout the region. 

Volunteers are currently being recruited in Buchanan, Andrew, Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth counties for a series of classes that will take place at the Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center in St. Joseph.  The center is located at 100 S 10th Street.  

Four classes will be held throughout March, the first on March 3rd and the final class on March 12th, running from 10am to 2pm each day.  A free meal will be provided with each class.  At the end of the classes, participants will be able to choose where they would like to volunteer at the end of the two week program.  After completing the program, volunteers will give at least five hours or more as a volunteer to officially complete the program. 

If you are interested in signing up for the classes, you can contact Young at Heart Resources and the program coordinator Connie Griffith at 660-240-9400.  

(You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.)