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Why Volunteering in New Jersey Is the Best Thing You Can Do — for Someone Else and for You

AARP

Published June 25, 2026

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Let me tell you something I learned the hard way.

I spent the early months of the pandemic doing what a lot of us did: staying home, staying safe, and slowly going a little stir-crazy. Then I joined the AARP NJ Speakers Bureau. And everything changed. Not just for the people I was talking to. For me.

That's the thing about volunteering that nobody puts on the poster. Yes, you're giving back. But here's the real secret: you get morethan you give. A lot more.

If you're a New Jersey resident over 50, whether you're retired, still working, or somewhere in between, this one's for you.

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How Volunteering Makes You Happier and Healthier in New Jersey

For New Jersey adults looking to boost their well-being, volunteering may be one of the most effective tools available and it costs nothing.

Volunteering offers more than an opportunity to give back and contribute to your community. It can give you a new sense of purpose and improve your overall well-being. Engaging in acts of kindness through volunteering triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. A study in The Journal of Happiness Studies found that volunteers had higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. It's also been reported that regular volunteering is associated with lower cortisol levels, a stress-related hormone, in older adults. That means it doesn't just make you feel good in the moment. It contributes to long-term stress reduction.1

Think about that. Your body is literally rewarding you for showing up.

A 2013 United Health Group study found that 96% of volunteers reported that volunteering enhanced their sense of purpose. Ninety-four percent said that it helped improve their mood and sense of well-being. Ninety-six percent. That's not a rounding error. That's almost everyone.2

The Real Health Benefits — Physical and Mental

For older adults in New Jersey, the benefits go well beyond a mood lift.

From lowering stress to boosting self-confidence, volunteering offers many health benefits, especially for older adults. Volunteering with and for others increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common commitment and interests — both of which have been shown to decrease depression. A study released by Johns Hopkins University in 2009 revealed that volunteers actually increased their brain functioning. Volunteer activities get you moving and thinking at the same time.3

And here's my favorite part, the science of joy. You know that feel-good sense you get after a vigorous workout? It comes from that release of dopamine mentioned earlier. Helping others has that exact same effect. So, the more you volunteer, the happier you become

About 100 annual hours, roughly three hours a week, is the "sweet spot" where the benefits are the greatest. That's one afternoon. Less time than most of us spend scrolling. You've absolutely got this.4

Loneliness Is an Epidemic. Volunteering Is an Antidote.

Loneliness is one of the biggest challenges facing adults over 50 in New Jersey and across the country.

One of the biggest barriers to happiness is social isolation and loneliness, which Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called an "epidemic." Volunteering brings people together, providing opportunities to connect with others who share similar interests and passions. These social connections can lead to lasting friendships and a supportive community network.5

When I joined the Speakers Bureau, I wasn't just giving presentations. I was building real relationships with people who cared about the same things I did. That's available to every New Jersey resident who's ready to say yes.

New Jersey Already Has 1.9 Million Volunteers — There's Room for You

New Jersey isn't new to this. Our state has a deep, proud culture of service.

The mission of the Governor's Office of Volunteerism is to support NJ's 1.9 million volunteers with training and recognition while matching community needs in partnership with volunteer centers, disaster response organizations, business volunteers, schools, colleges, faith-based organizations, and community organizations. Volunteer Centers and United Way organizations support and facilitate volunteerism throughout the state in a variety of ways. Among their various functions, they provide opportunities to volunteer throughout a community.6

No matter where you live, Newark, New Brunswick, Cherry Hill, Toms River, or Cape May, there's a network already doing the work. And they need you.

Take Action: Three Ways to Start Volunteering in New Jersey Right Now

"Consider volunteering someday" is not a plan. These are.

One Last Thing

I joined the AARP NJ Speakers Bureau in early 2020, just as the pandemic lockdowns went into effect. I didn't know exactly what I was getting into. But I jumped in anyway.

Best decision I ever made.

If you're on the fence, stop waiting for the perfect moment. New Jersey needs you. And honestly? You might need this more than you realize.

Let's get to work.

— Rich Sodon, AARP New Jersey Volunteer

Footnotes & Sources

AARP Create the Good – THE RESEARCH IS IN: VOLUNTEERING BOOSTS HAPPINESS
AARP Create the Good – THE RESEARCH IS IN: VOLUNTEERING BOOSTS HAPPINESS
AARP Create the Good — "GIVING BACK HELPS OTHERS-AND YOU"
Senior Planet from AARP — "Get Healthy: Volunteer"
AARP Create the Good — "GIVING BACK HELPS OTHERS-AND YOU"
New Jersey Department of State — Volunteer and National Service

AARP — "Find Ways to Volunteer Near You and Nationally" 50,000+ AARP volunteers; Driver Safety, Tax-Aide, Experience Corps programs. 🔗 https://www.aarp.org/volunteer/

AARP New Jersey — Volunteering Page NJ volunteer resources, contact info, local events. 🔗https://www.aarp.org/states/new-jersey/volunteering/

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