Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Volunteer work allows single people to make and meet friends
A story released today by the New Press reports that volunteerism has become a hot new international trend in the search for love, with organizations popping up to serve the niche of eligible do-gooders.
Krista Dyson, 33, a corporate trainer, is president of Single Volunteers of South Florida. The main demographic in chapters nationwide is single white professionals in their 30s and 40s, she said.
"The whole concept started so recently," she said. "We’re growing and bringing in people from various backgrounds. Ten years from now, you’ll see a lot more chapters. There’s a lot of untapped markets."
Meryl Rorer is director of Volunteer Lee, an organization that recruits and refers volunteers of all ages to between 80 and 100 private nonprofit organizations, public agencies and assisted-living facilities throughout Lee County.
"The idea is certainly feasible," she said. "People say to me, ‘Do you think I can make friends there?’ They do make friendships. They don’t want to spend their time in a party scene. They want to do something better."
Rorer said she doesn’t mind if people initially volunteer in search of love.
"As long as it gets you there, I don’t care what you’re looking for — as long as you’re sincere while you’re giving back and serving the main purpose," she said.
Rorer said about 75 percent of the volunteers she places through Volunteer Lee are seniors, many of whom are widows or widowers in search of a new social outlet.
