For many seniors, retirement is a chance to relax, but for Barbara Buck, it’s been a chance to pour her heart into community service. With over 1,000 volunteer hours every year, she’s become a key support system in Cecil County, Maryland.
As a retired English teacher with 33 years at Elkton High School, Buck knows how important it is to help others. She says her passion for service comes from her dad, who started the Chesapeake City Ecumenical Association. This group still helps people with food, clothing, and essentials today.
Key Takeaways
Barbara Buck’s dedication to volunteerism shows seniors the power of giving back through community service.
- Volunteering is not just about helping others, but also about finding purpose and staying involved in one’s life, especially for seniors.
- Giving back can have a positive impact on both the giver and receiver, creating a cycle of kindness that benefits everyone involved.
- Seniors can stay young, active, and connected through volunteering, which provides structure, joy, and a sense of fulfillment.
A lifetime of giving back
Continuing her family’s tradition of giving, Buck stays busy with many projects, like organizing community clean-ups and handing out meals to the homeless with the Paris Foundation. She’s also active in religious education at Wesley Church of Elkton, teaching Bible study and vacation Bible school. Her hard work recently earned her the 2024 Maryland State Community Service Award. She accepted it not for herself but to inspire others, especially other seniors, to start volunteering.
When Barbara received a $100 gift card with her award, she used it for her church’s mission programs.
It’s a continuation of passing on the gifts that we have in other ways
Barbara Buck
She felt it wasn’t meant for her own use, thinking, “this is for my volunteering.” Her selfless nature shows that giving back is more than kindness—it’s about finding a greater purpose.
Staying young through volunteering
For seniors, volunteering isn’t just about helping others—it’s also a great way to stay active, meet new people, and keep your mind sharp. It gives structure, purpose, and joy to your life, especially in retirement. Buck strongly believes her volunteer work helps her stay young, energetic, and connected.
By staying busy, you stay young and healthy instead of just sitting around, Buck says. Being active in meaningful activities can keep your body and mind strong and make you feel happier. Her community work not only keeps her busy but also helps her make lasting friendships with others who share her interests. After retirement, many seniors feel lonely as their regular routines and co-worker interactions end. Volunteering allows them to meet new people from different backgrounds and continue contributing to society.
Buck’s experiences have shown her how important community support is during tough times. When she was diagnosed with cancer, friends and neighbors offered her incredible help—driving her to appointments, cooking meals, and providing encouragement. This confirmed her belief that giving back is essential in life.
We receive support unexpectedly from those around us, she reflects. That’s why helping others matters. For Buck, kindness should not be a one-way street. Acts of giving create a cycle where the giver often benefits as much—if not more—than the one who receives. She hopes to inspire others, especially seniors, to be active in their communities, knowing even a small act of kindness can have a big impact on someone’s life.
Encouraging seniors to take action
Buck has seen that not many seniors in Cecil County are volunteering. She wants to inspire more seniors to help out, not only to support their communities but also to make their own lives better.
Her love for The Little Red Hen, a story from her childhood about stepping up when others won’t, guides her approach to volunteering. She believes if we don’t say yes, things don’t get done. She encourages others to take action whenever they see a need.
Buck’s message to fellow seniors is simple: Volunteering isn’t just about helping others. It’s about finding purpose, staying involved, and making a difference no matter your age. Whether it’s mentoring kids, helping at food banks, or offering a hand to neighbors, every act helps build a stronger community.
As Buck continues her work, she hopes her story reminds everyone that age doesn’t limit the ability to make a difference. For seniors seeking to stay active and happy, volunteering offers a chance to change lives, including their own.
