“You’re chocolate all over.” That’s a three-year-old’s observation of Foster Grandparent Sandy Watson. One of the benefits of volunteering with kids is hearing their precious comments and getting a glimpse of their unique perspectives on the world.  Volunteering with children helps keep you young and helps the kids a lot, too.

 Sandy Watson is a person who has seen the benefits of volunteering from both sides. For 19 years she worked at Opportunities for Broome Head Start, first as a family worker and then as a social service coordinator. Sandy saw Foster Grandparents work with 3 and 4 year olds, helping to bring about positive changes in their lives.

 Now Sandy is retired and volunteers as a Foster Grandparent herself; she’s assigned to the Handicapped Children’s Association in Johnson City. Sandy loves interacting with the children and with other adults. The teachers treat her as part of the team. Sandy says, “They look at me as a valued player. We Foster Grandparents come with a wealth of knowledge.” Sandy feels she is contributing to developing a child’s positive outlook on life. Foster Grandparents give the kind of comfort and love that sets a child on the path toward a successful future.

 Foster Grandparents usually volunteer 20 hours per week at a school, daycare or Head Start program. Foster Grandparents aren’t teachers or aides. They are ordinary people willing to share their love, time, and experience. According to Sandy, “We’re nurturers.” Foster Grandparents provide the loving one-on-one attention that children with special needs require.

 The theme of the 2009 National Volunteer week was, “Celebrating People in Action.” Between the playground and the classroom, Sandy’s seen enough action to lose 20 lbs. Sandy said her increased activity has decreased her medication. That’s something to remember when you volunteer. You’re not just helping others. You’re helping yourself in more ways than you might realize. Volunteering leads to new discoveries and new friends, helps you live longer, and promotes a positive outlook on life.

 Currently, there are 31, 000 Foster Grandparents in the United States. 58 of them are in Broome County. If you are a low income senior interested in becoming a Foster Grandparent volunteer, please call 778-2089.