WASHINGTON 鈥� The 106-year-old who’s earned rock star status in a viral video of聽her dancing with the President and First Lady thinks volunteering聽has helped keep her young.
“She’s the jewel in our crown,” says Cheryl Christmas, of the聽, about centenarian Virginia McLaurin. “Grandma has been working at this program, Foster Grandparents, for 22 years.”
“And I love it,” McLaurin quickly chimed in. “I love kids!”
Volunteers 55 and older earn tax-free stipends for time spent training, traveling and volunteering. They work with children聽who are academically, socially or financially disadvantaged.
“What we do聽is not only match the seniors with children, but with children in their community. We’re kind of old-school in that way,” Christmas says. “We say it takes a whole community to raise children, so our seniors do that work.”
Volunteer opportunities with children and young people up to 21 are available in many settings, including hospitals, day care centers, social programs or schools.
鈥淕randma Virginia鈥� McLaurin works in D.C. public schools, mentoring students with special needs and helping children聽with reading and social skills.
The Foster Grandparent program, as part of Senior Corps,聽is sponsored by聽the federal agency for volunteering and service 鈥� the Corporation for National and Community Service. Volunteers typically have incomes at or below 200 percent of federal poverty income guidelines.
Donations can be made online .
Check donations can be sent to:
Foster Grandparent Program,聽United Planning Organization聽ATTN: Marvyn Myers,聽301 Rhode Island Avenue NW,聽Washington, DC 20001
