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Finding Your Place: Volunteer Opportunities After 50
Trivia: Which country was the first to establish a national healthcare system providing universal coverage in the 20th century?
RetireHub
July 20, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Sunday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing smart tips on finding your place: volunteer opportunities after 50, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
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What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Joe Rothstein White House control is the target of a ruthless, powerful international conspiracy. To succeed, plotters must eliminate US President Isabel Tennyson, who remains unaware of their existence or intentions. It's The Manchurian Candidate at "a contemporary, credibly scary, absolutely addictive level."-Pacific Reviews (Political Thriller of the Year) |
 | By: Dawn Ramos Emma Foster avoids heartbreak at all costs, until a broken elevator and a charming coworker open her mind to new possibilities. As her career falters and secrets unravel, a mysterious necklace offers luck, but what she truly needs might be faith in herself. |
On this day in 1969, humanity took its first extraordinary steps on another world as the Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle touched down in the Sea of Tranquility. Hours later, astronaut Neil Armstrong descended onto the moon’s surface, declaring, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Alongside Buzz Aldrin, they spent over two hours exploring, collecting rock samples, and setting up scientific experiments—forever changing our relationship with space and inspiring generations to dream beyond Earth.
Finding Your Place: Volunteer Opportunities After 50
As we step into our 50s and beyond, many of us find ourselves with more time, life experience, and the desire to give back. Whether you're newly retired, looking for purpose outside of work, or simply seeking connection with your community, volunteering can be a deeply fulfilling way to make a difference—not just for others, but for yourself too.
One of the most powerful aspects of volunteering after 50 is the ability to bring decades of knowledge, compassion, and skills to causes that truly need them. Maybe you’re a retired teacher who can help adult learners with literacy, or a nurse who wants to provide comfort at a hospice center. Even hobbies can open doors: if you love to sew, there are organizations looking for handmade blankets or caps; if you adore animals, local shelters are always looking for helping hands.
Community centers, libraries, food banks, and hospitals offer a wide range of volunteer roles tailored to different interests and physical abilities. Many nonprofits also offer flexible schedules, including virtual or one-time events, so you can get involved even with a busy calendar or mobility challenges. The key is finding the right fit—one that feels energizing rather than overwhelming.
Volunteering isn’t just about doing good—it’s also about staying connected. Studies show that older adults who volunteer experience lower rates of depression and loneliness, along with improved physical health and mental sharpness. It's a way to continue growing, learning, and building relationships. For those who have experienced a major life transition like retirement, widowhood, or an empty nest, volunteering can offer a renewed sense of purpose and identity.
If you’re not sure where to start, think about what matters most to you. Is it helping kids learn to read? Preserving nature? Supporting fellow seniors? Websites like VolunteerMatch, RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program), and local community boards are great starting points for finding nearby opportunities.
Remember, there’s no "right" way to give back. Whether you commit a few hours a week or lend your time for a single event, your efforts can ripple out in ways you may never fully see. And in the process, you just might discover a new passion—or even a new version of yourself.
You have so much to offer. The world is waiting.
🗳️ Have you ever volunteered your time or skills after age 50? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: How often do you cook for yourself or two people?
It looks like our community has truly embraced the art of cooking for one or two. Nearly half of you (47%) say you’re in the kitchen daily whipping up small, satisfying meals—proof that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Another 39% enjoy keeping it simple just a few times a week, showing that even with a relaxed pace, homemade meals still matter. Only a small slice of voters cook for larger groups or lean toward takeout, reminding us that convenience has its place, too. Whether you’re a daily chef or a "sometimes stirrer," there’s joy to be found in crafting something just for you.
TOP COMMENTS
“Often I make enough for two nights because then I only have to worry about making dinner on one night and the next night it is just a reheat and serve. I live for casseroles (lasagna, chicken and rice and lots of vegetables). The only thing I make and freeze are meatloaves. Make 3, freeze 2.”
“I have learned to scale down the portions for us on some meals. On others, we eat leftovers or utilize the freezer which is wonderful because then we can enjoy a nice home-cooked meal on another day when maybe we are crunched for time.”
“I’m widowed and live alone. I feed myself lots of salads and sandwiches or go out for meals with friends rather than cook much, especially in the summer.”
Wisdom in the Everyday: How Confucianism Can Enrich Our Later Years
Confucianism, often thought of as an ancient philosophy, offers simple yet profound guidance that can beautifully enhance our daily lives—especially as we grow older. At its heart, Confucian thought emphasizes enduring virtues like kindness, respect, and gratitude, helping us deepen relationships and create more meaning in ordinary routines.
One central idea is filial piety, which goes beyond honoring our parents to include caring for loved ones and holding family ties with gentle respect. When we make small gestures—like offering to help with a chore or checking in with a call—we practice this virtue and strengthen our bonds. Another guiding principle is ritual and routine—daily habits like sharing tea, saying a blessing before meals, or taking a moment to appreciate nature can bring calm, purpose, and connection to each day.
Confucianism also invites us to cultivate personal integrity: being honest with ourselves, standing by our commitments, and striving to be trustworthy in small and large actions alike. It's not about perfection, but about showing up with sincerity and kindness, whether we're volunteering, helping a neighbor, or tending a garden.
Importantly, Confucianism views education and self-reflection as lifelong pursuits. It encourages us to remain curious, open-minded, and humble—ready to learn from new experiences, other people, and even challenges. Whether we're exploring a new hobby, reading, or listening to others’ stories, we honor this spirit of continual growth.
Ultimately, Confucian philosophy offers a gentle, uplifting framework for living with intention: cherishing family, creating meaningful rituals, holding ourselves to a standard of goodness, and embracing learning at any age. These timeless values can enrich our golden years, reminding us that age brings wisdom—and with it, a beautiful chance to live with gratitude, respect, and quiet purpose.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Tapped in
Meaning: "Tapped in" is a modern slang phrase meaning to be fully connected, aware, or in tune with what’s happening—whether in a social scene, current events, trends, or even emotionally present in a moment. It can also suggest being mentally sharp or spiritually aligned, depending on context.
In a sentence: After years of volunteering at the local community center, Gloria is tapped in—she knows which classes fill up fastest, which instructor brings cookies, and exactly when the good jazz band is scheduled to play.
Good News of the Day
AI-Engineered Paint Could Slash AC Use and Cool Buildings by Up to 36°F
Researchers from the University of Texas-Austin, National University of Singapore, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Umeå University in Sweden have developed a groundbreaking thermal coating using artificial intelligence. This innovative paint, the whitest ever created, has the potential to cool buildings by up to 36°F, significantly reducing the need for air conditioning. The AI-driven design process enabled the creation of 1,500 unique materials, optimizing heat emission and solar reflection for enhanced energy efficiency. This advancement not only promises substantial energy savings but also contributes to mitigating the urban heat island effect, offering a sustainable solution for urban cooling.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which famous environmentalist wrote the 1962 book “Silent Spring”, credited with launching the modern environmental movement? |
Who was the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State? |
Which country was the first to establish a national healthcare system providing universal coverage in the 20th century? |
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- Jay
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