Planting Seeds for Trees You'll Never Sit Under

A Legacy of Volunteerism

Sometimes we don’t see our impact. Photo by Emmanuel Mbala on Unsplash

In 1996, I met my friend Peggy. She was 55 years old and already retired—something that seemed both fascinating and a little mystifying to me at the time. Peggy and her husband, Carl, walked away from Corporate America. He was a former Human Resources executive. She retired as a Regulatory Compliance Officer for GTE, the company that would later become Verizon. They created a business of their own, Lasting Images Indy, a marketing and promotions company.

When I think of Peggy, it isn’t about her career—it is about her commitment to volunteering and recognizing volunteers.

Retired Senior Volunteers.

For nearly two decades, Peggy served as the chairperson of the Minority Volunteer Recognition Breakfast, hosted by United Way of Central Indiana. The event became a tradition during Indiana Black Expo. The breakfast honored individuals who quietly and consistently uplifted others in their communities.

Peggy saved many of the programs from those breakfasts. Each one is a snapshot of generosity—names, stories, and causes that shaped Indianapolis. The volunteers honored annually over those years left an impact everywhere in the city.

Eventually, I joined her on the breakfast committee. I began to understand that volunteering isn’t just about giving your time—it is about creating connections, helping people regain their dignity, and showing others different possibilities.

Recent estimates show that more than 75.5 million Americans, age 16 and older, volunteer with organizations ranging from food banks and schools to shelters, museums, and hospitals. That number is impressive—but what it represents is even more powerful—millions of individuals choosing to show up for someone else.

Volunteering is a way to meet others with common interests.

April is National Volunteer Month—a time to recognize the quiet, consistent ways people show up for one another. For older adults in particular, volunteering has been linked to better physical and mental health, less loneliness, and a renewed sense of purpose. But beyond the research, I’ve come to believe something simpler: when we give our time, something shifts on both sides. The person receiving support benefits—but so does the person offering it.

Time flies. We’ve all felt that.

We get to decide what we do with the minutes, hours, and days we are given.

Peggy understands that. She gives her time in ways that still ripple outward. She knows she makes an impact—and I am lucky enough to watch it and share her story. In 2014, United Way recognized her with a plaque commemorating her dedication to honoring volunteerism.

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” Mother Teresa

Where could your time ripple outward? Who might be changed by it? Your comments are welcomed!