"Volunteering at Golden West has been one of the things that has had the biggest impact on my life in Boulder," Kemler said. Kemler also brings in clips from newspapers and reads them to the residents to keep them up to date on current community and world events. "It really helps them feel like they are participating in society and makes them feel important," she said.

Kemler thinks that volunteering is worthwhile because, "There is so little effort that I have to go to for so much reward." She knows that she is helping the residents at Golden West because the few times that Kemler has been unable to read, they have been sad that they had to wait another week to hear the next chapter of the book.

"It's so easy to volunteer and there is so much need to include everyone in our community that I feel more people need to get involved," Kemler said. Kemler also volunteers once a month at the Boulder History Museum where she greets guests and plans events.

Kemler said, "The best part of volunteering is how much the volunteer, whether it's me or someone else, really gets out of it." She believes volunteering brings her more into the heart of Boulder and helps her interact with the community as a whole.

For information about volunteering with Golden West Senior Residence or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.