April 2026

National Volunteer Month

Celebrate this April!

Every April, National Volunteer Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of volunteers. It is a great opportunity to join in the volunteering fun and encourage people to get involved in their communities. This is a great month to reaffirm your commitment to giving back to your community.

The Benefits of Volunteering

Naturally, the dialogue surrounding activism and volunteerism centers on how others will benefit from volunteer work that you do. But years of research demonstrate that there are benefits for volunteers themselves. Whether you are a family member or caregiver for someone with a mental health condition — or have the lived experience yourself — volunteering can be a positive step toward improving your health and yield many benefits:

• Meet Passionate People: Build camaraderie with fellow volunteers and staff who share your passions. 

• Reducing Stress: Helping vulnerable populations, cleaning up a park or organizing a food pantry can all help reduce stress. The gratitude you receive from volunteering can send you into a positive mood almost immediately. Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress, increase happiness, and improve mental and physical health. 

• Increasing Happiness: Research has found a correlation between volunteering and happiness. A 2020 study conducted in the United Kingdom found those who volunteered reported being more satisfied with their lives and rated their overall health as better. Respondents who volunteered for at least one month also reported having better mental health than those who did not volunteer.

• Developing Confidence: Volunteering is an opportunity to develop confidence and self-esteem. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity, something that can be hard to come by for people with a mental health diagnosis. The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future. The sense of accomplishment from serving others can raise self-esteem and self-confidence.

• Finding Purpose: In times when you feel lost, volunteering can give you a sense of purpose. Dedicating time to a cause can give you new direction and allow you to find meaning in something unexpected. It can also take your mind off your own troubles while keeping you mentally stimulated.

Getting Started: Your Path to Making a Difference 

• Identify your interests: Explore the volunteer opportunities offered and align them with your passions. Your local community has so many options!

• Consider your skills and availability: How much time can you commit? What skills and talents can you offer? Matching your strengths and availability to the needs of a site will create a mutually beneficial partnership. 

• Find locations nearby: Locate the nearest community center and inquire about their volunteer programs, sharing any specific interests. Or you might want to look for opportunities at a dream destination for your next vacation and volunteer abroad. 

• Sign up and commit: Apply for one or many opportunities that match your interests! When selected, commit to showing up reliably and enthusiastically. 

Once you’ve found an opportunity that resonates with you, lean into the fulfillment that comes with volunteerism. Remember, every contribution matters, your enthusiasm is contagious, and always embrace the opportunity to learn. Your passion for volunteering is invaluable and your efforts will make a difference for this and future generations. 

National Volunteer Month is a wonderful reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. So why wait? Take the first step today and discover the power of volunteering!

Resources: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/article/National-Volunteer-Month

What's on Your Sign?: How to focus your passion and change the world, November 27, 2018; by Terri L. Lyon

https://www.nami.org/blog/how-volunteering-improves-mental-health/#:~:text=There was too much to,find meaning in something unexpected

Volunteers are the heart and soul of so many service-related programs. In fact, those programs would not exist without those same volunteers - and the SHINE Program is no exception! 

Month after month, our SHINE volunteers work with a continual flow of senior callers to the Elder Helpline, many to whom Medicare is a complicated maze of details. Our volunteers simplify and explain their Medicare benefits to them, uncover the best health insurance options, and for those struggling financially, help them to enroll in cost-savings measures that could save them money. Some even share Medicare and SHINE information through presentations and community events.

So, for all that SHINE volunteers do for seniors in our 14-county area, WE THANK YOU! Your value to our seniors is inestimable.

WE NEED YOU TO SHINE! Be a ray of hope to seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers, as you provide free and unbiased counseling about their Medicare choices, prescription drugs, and other health insurance matters.

SHINE stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders.



As a volunteer SHINE Medicare Counselor, you will serve your community by

• helping pre-enrollees understand the many confusing Medicare options available to them;
• assisting current beneficiaries to better understand the Medicare coverage they currently have;
• compare Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescriptions Drug Plans for those considering a change in their coverage;
• helping low-income individuals to apply for special benefits that could lower their monthly Medicare costs;
• educate beneficiaries how to protect themselves from Medicare fraud & abuse.

There are volunteer positions available that need your time and talents throughout our service area. Training is provided by the Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs.

If you are passionate about helping seniors, enjoy learning, are outgoing, and have good computer skills, please visit https://floridashine.org or call The Elder Helpline at 866-467-4624 to learn how you can help seniors in our 14 county service area to get the most from their Medicare. We serve the following north Florida counties: Bay, Calhoun, Wakulla, Washington, Liberty, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madision, Jackson, Gulf, Franklin, Holmes and Taylor counties.

FCOA Conference

August 3-6, 2026

The Florida Council on Aging is committed to serving Florida's diverse aging interests through education, information-sharing and advocacy.

One way they do that is through their annual Florida Conference on Aging (FCOA). Registration is now open for exhibitors and attendees. Secure your spot today!

This year's conference will be held August 3-6, in Orlando, FL.

Click Here to learn more

If you help a friend, neighbor or family member at all, YOU are a caregiver and you may be overwhelmed by the situation.

We have resources to support you!

Call the Elder Helpline to see how we can help!

866-467-4624

Capital Coalition on Aging 

Meeting Reminder

We are slowly growing, thanks to you! Please keep sharing this event!

We hope to build back up our attendance to 50-60 people each month - a goal we can only accomplish together by sharing the invitation to aging professionals that are not current members, and reminding our colleagues who are on our member list.​ Don’t forget to bring your business cards and information about your organization that you would like to share. We look forward to seeing you all there!​​

Join us for our Capital Coalition on Aging (CCOA) meeting, held montly at the Tallahassee Senior Center. This month's meeting is April 15, 2026 at 8:30am

Come for breakfast and stay for the presentation and networking!

DON'T MISS OUT! Elder Care Services will be providing a full HOT breakfast made just for you by the Meals on Wheels kitchen!