In 2022, Heart2Heart volunteers reached twice as many seniors as they had the year before.
A total of 7,361 seniors were impacted by the work of our volunteers last year. That’s compared to 3,431 in 2021.
The growth is a testament to the innovation and hard work of the Heart2Heart team and the organization’s amazing volunteers, said Heart2Heart CEO Juan Gallo.
“We are constantly blown away by the dedication of our volunteers, who go above and beyond to reach lonely seniors,” Gallo said. “Whenever there is a need, we can rely on our network of volunteers to answer the call with compassion and enthusiasm.”
Heart2Heart volunteers logged 3,500 hours caring for our local seniors in 2022. That’s a 75% increase in the hours logged the year prior.
“While that’s amazing, we know that those numbers don’t capture the fullness of the time volunteers dedicate to our seniors,” said Community Outreach Director Riana Samaroo. “Volunteers might not log things like check-in phone calls or thoughtful gifts, but dozens of these small acts of kindness help seniors feel loved and cared for.”
Heart2Heart’s volunteer base grew last year as well. In all, 1,771 volunteers gave their time, whether it was by calling, face-to-face visits, teaching, talking with, making gifts for or delivering packages to seniors last year.
One big contributor to the overall increase was Heart2Heart’s new programs in the past year. Food for Hope launched in June. Since then, volunteers have logged 944 hours and 1,441 encounters delivering freshly made meals to seniors in 50 different homes.
2022 also saw the start of Heart2Heart as a state-licensed respite agency, offering relief to loved ones caring for seniors in their homes 24 hours a day. Through that program, volunteers spent 180 hours of their time with seniors in the community last year.
Gallo said he was encouraged by impressive signs of growth for the nonprofit. However, he pointed out that Heart2Heart’s most powerful impact is within individual relationships.
“We believe the most impactful number is one. One volunteer connecting with one senior one at a time is how we change the story of loneliness across our whole community,” he said.
With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day, the need for volunteers who help care for seniors won’t diminish anytime soon.
“Our mission to connect, advocate, respond and engage with seniors in our community is only going to get more urgent as the American aging population grows,” Gallo said.
To get involved as a Heart2Heart volunteer, explore its outreach opportunities. To read the full 2022 annual report for Heart2Heart Outreach of South Florida, click here.
