By Laura Walter

A book club. A Lions Club. A church group. A tutoring program.

When people feel a purpose and something to look forward to—life can be beautiful. And surrounding ourselves with other people can improve mental health. Senior adults especially benefit from this.

“Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia,” the CDC reported.

So, at places like the Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club, “You have a sense of community,” said Dr. Ronald Kahn, club president. “And there’s an opportunity to serve. Everybody has a chance to be on a committee, be part of a project. We certainly don’t want people sitting around and not feeling important.”

People like to use their skills for a project they support, like writing, computer tech, event planning—or carpentry. Camden-Wyoming Rotary installed a garden at the memory care unit of the Delaware Veterans Home.

“We had a 90-year old gentleman who is sharp as can be, super talented. He built four raised flower beds, and we put them up, and they are doing well,” Kahn said.

“There are so many opportunities for seniors—they can be very, very involved, or just as involved as they want,” Kahn said, “and there’s a little bit of intergenerational aspect to it” as members mingle from across the decades.

“I did retire at a relatively young age,” said Debra Taylor, secretary. “To be able to go out and be among people of good will … it’s uplifting—and to have the sense that we’re making a difference, and I’m doing something for the generation to come—I even got my husband to join! … and he finds it very satisfying.”

“You could retire and just survive, or you could thrive, which is to grow,” said Kahn. “For me, there’s been a lot for growth. I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much about our community and meet a lot of people … I have a lot more purpose now … So I look at this as ‘What can I do for me to thrive, and our club to thrive?’”

Rotary International started among business professionals looking to make the world a better place.

“Business people realized they were in their own little world … and they could provide services to the community,” Kahn said.

Today there are over 46,000 clubs worldwide. All ages are welcome.

“What Rotary offers is the opportunity to get together with people who have lots of different interests, but are focused on the commonality of helping the community,” Taylor said.

Here’s the big thing: members also learn about their own community.

“Absolutely! That was like the No. 1 thing for me,” said Kahn. “By trade I was a podiatrist … I didn’t know these other people. Every week we had an interesting [guest] speaker—somebody who was interviewed in the State News would be there talking about the community …“So, we’re meeting those people, meeting those decision-makers.”

Plus, older adults enjoy traveling, and Rotary is worldwide. “We’ve had our members go to Rotary Clubs when they’re on vacation. They take a flag from our club and exchange it with someone there,” Taylor said. It’s how friendships are made across the world, and helps to promote peace.

Camden-Wyoming’s projects are wide ranging. Locally, that means education, youth, food and shelter. Internationally, that includes war-torn areas and health clinics—and much more.

It means 25 years of Meals on Wheels delivery through Modern Maturity Center—and also giving each third-grade student in the Caeser Rodney School District their own dictionary.

“For a senior to walk into a classroom, and see all those eager 8-year olds with the first book they can write their name in—” the energy is thrilling, Taylor said.

Bell ringing for the Salvation Army is another longtime project “that gives people two hours to stand there and talk to people. I tell you, some of the conversations that go on are astounding,” Kahn said. “Sometimes you hear stories about someone who was helped by the Salvation Army, and sometimes there’s a senior who just wants to talk, and that’s good! That’s good for both parties.”

All of this is to prevent loneliness and isolation.

“People who retire, they should absolutely join something like Rotary. The worst thing to do is just to retire and not have a purpose or something to do,” Kahn said. “Rotary’s interesting in that the president is only there for one year, so there’s an opportunity for somebody to be in charge and involved every year.”

Fresh things are still happening with the Camden-Wyoming Rotary. Formed almost 80 years ago in 1945, they recently spun off a satellite group at Noble’s Pond.

“There’s purpose to what they do, and it’s near to their hearts,” Kahn said. “Giving is an important thing because it makes them feel better … Rotary’s motto is ‘Service above self.’”

Learn more about the Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club’s service goals at (302) 526-0727 or www.cwrotary.org.