Every Friday, a group of AmeriCorps volunteers heads to a different home in Plano. Known as the Plain-O Helpers, they may be there to change a light bulb, install a grab bar or build a wheelchair ramp — whatever task Plano’s older adults may need.
“After retiring, I was looking for meaningful ways to stay active and give back to the community. I learned about Plain-O Helpers and its benefits through Custer Road United Methodist Church and The Senior Source and realized that it offers a great way to use my skills, stay active and give to others,” says David Lucas, a Plain-O Helpers volunteer. “For me, it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I think anyone who gets involved would feel the same.”
Plain-O Helpers are part of AmeriCorps’ Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a nationwide initiative that connects volunteers 55 and older with opportunities to serve others in their community. In North Texas, RSVP is sponsored by Dallas-based nonprofit The Senior Source.
“The Senior Source is the go-to resource hub for older adults and their caregivers,” says Gretchen Feinhals, who oversees volunteer outreach for the organization. “We try to make the aging journey as positive as possible in Dallas and Collin County. RSVP allows us to match older adults with volunteer opportunities that fill real gaps — things that city, state or even national programs don’t always have the capacity to do.”
More than simply fulfilling home tasks for older adults, the work gives volunteers a sense of connection and purpose.
“About 40% of older adults are facing isolation,” Feinhals says. “Volunteering not only benefits the people receiving help, but it also improves quality of life for the volunteers themselves. It reduces depression, helps them stay active and gives them a greater sense of purpose.”
These mere 30 volunteers completed more than 1,600 home projects, logging over 9,000 hours, in the last year alone.
“These are things that might seem small, but they make a huge difference,” Feinhals says. “If you’ve ever had plumbing work done, you know how expensive it can be. For our clients, having a volunteer fix a leak or install a ramp at no cost can mean the difference between staying safely at home or not.”
As Plano’s population ages, the demand for volunteers grows. Plain-O Helpers’ services are now on a waiting list, with projects often booked a month in advance.
“Twelve thousand Americans turn 65 every day. The 65-plus population is growing faster than any other demographic, and half the U.S. population is now over 50,” Feinhals says. “There’s always a longer list of clients than we can serve. We’d love to connect with more people who have the time and heart to help. It’s flexible, it’s rewarding, and it truly changes lives.”
Volunteers can sign up through The Senior Source’s website, where they will be matched with opportunities that align with their skills, interests and schedules.
“We’re proud that our volunteers reflect the diversity of the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” she says. “Aging looks different for everyone and so do the ways people choose to give back.”
