Harold Hager, who turned 100 years old on May 17, volunteers 20 hours a week at a Habitat for Humanity in Steuben County, NY. Hager was honored at a recent event for volunteering more hours than any other volunteer at the organization — an honor he received for the second year in a row.
The World War II veteran started volunteering shortly after his wife passed away in 2010; not wanting to sit around idly, he started giving back to his community.
“We were together for 71 years and one month almost to the hour,” Hager told WENY News.
Now, Hager shows the same dedication to volunteering.
“He works the equivalent of about a twenty-hour work week,” said Matthew Harmer, marketing and outreach coordinator for Steuben County’s Habitat for Humanity.
Despite a common narrative surrounding senior citizens — that they are a drain to the economy and weigh down on society — senior citizens are a valuable asset to communities. Older citizens have flexible schedules and more free time to volunteer. In fact, according to the Institute for Volunteering Research, based in the UK, elderly volunteers contribute more hours than any other age group, and are more likely to be content with the work and commit to it. Also, they “make more charitable donations per capita than any other age group,” according to EvidenceNetwork.ca.
Volunteer work does not only benefit the recipient. In the same way that owning animals can give senior citizens a sense of purpose and wellbeing, those who volunteer are reported to be healthier, both physically and emotionally, than their peers who do not volunteer their time. Whether good health predicts volunteering or the benefits of volunteering bring good health is unknown, but researchers suggest it may be a combination of the two.
One of the most notable benefits of volunteering for senior citizens is the social aspect. Many senior citizens see a decline in their “social capital” as they age — due to retiring, losing friends and spouses, or seeing family move away. Research from the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago shows that those with frequent social contact experience cognitive decline at a 70 percent slower rate than those with low social activity. Overall, research has determined that volunteering has a positive effect on elderly individuals.
Hager’s next goal is to reach 105 years old. Giving his time, sharing his knowledge, and bettering the lives of those in his community through volunteering may just help him reach that goal.
I’am not half the man this guy is! A truly amazing human being. Thank you for everything that you have done and are still doing today. God bless you sir.
So many of us talk about wanting to get involved with charitable organizations (myself included) but don’t. If he can do it, so can we. I do plan to get involved when I can- hope you can too. Kudos to Harold!!
Purpose/helping others/getting out in public and no isolation/keeping busy an social life is needed. Use it or lose it for muscles and brain etc.,. That is awesome! I would love to see all people live this long and help others. God bless him!
Thank you sir for your service and gudiance
May HE always bless and keep you safe and well and all of your loved ones and friend.
Pax|
Great man — magnificent human being — to emulate Harold Hager is the way to be! — THAN YOU, Harold.
Thank you for your service. Now I know what I will be doing in my old age!
Wow! This is amazing. This man is incredible. A great example for all. I hope many more will follow his footsteps.
I send him a big kiss and a hug. Love Suzanne.
WHAT AN AMAZING YOUNG MAN WITH SUCH A STRONG AND KIND HEART!!! THANK YOU,SIR, FOR YOUR MILITARY SERVICE, AS WELL AS, YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE TO PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY!!! THEY DON’T MAKE MEN LIKE YOU ANYMORE!!! GOD BLESS YOU AND I HOPE YOU HAVE MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY AND HEALTHY BIRTHDAYS!!!
WOW!! WHAT AN AMAZING MAN.
What a truly amazing and remarkable man , an inspiration to us all.