Research Paper on:
Elderly and Volunteerism

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
living to age 80 and beyond (Kreyche, 2002). Many senior citizens enjoy a well earned period of leisure. Some choose to travel. Other seniors are not only traveling, but also  using their retirement to indulge a desire that was previously kept in check by the restrictions of their jobs and daily lives -- a desire to help others and feel  that they are contributing in making their communities, and the world, a better place. In short, these seniors are volunteering. Senior volunteers  work as guides in museums; some teach reading and help spread literacy. Some retirees who worked in business -- as middle and upper-level managers, sales people, advertising people --  are helping to keep capitalism alive within struggling Eastern European economies. The Citizens Democracy Corps (CDC) was founded in 1990 by the American private business sector for the express  purpose of enlisting American volunteers to aid in the transition to free market economies in previously communist countries (Anonymous, 2002). The retiree volunteer program sponsored by the CDC gives senior  citizens the chance to put their considerable skills and expertise to productive use (Jenner, 2002). Under this program, retired managers and businesspeople are utilized as volunteers in Central Europe,  Eastern Europe and Russia assisting entrepreneurs and city economic departments make the transition to a market economy. Volunteers are assigned by  the CDC to those cities and companies that will reap the greatest benefits from their expertise (Jenner, 2002). This program recognizes the huge resource that is represented in knowledge  of senior citizens. Furthermore, this outlet offers retired businesspeople a "satisfying and rewarding lifestyle" that affirms the value of their knowledge and experience (Jenner, 2002). It is difficult for many