Susanne Rengo has been volunteering with Beach Cities Health District’s Center for Health & Fitness (CHF) since 2011 as a Front Desk Assistant, however, she also donates her time to a variety of other BCHD programs and community events, including Zumba in the Park each summer.
This may sound like a lot to some, but Susanne is no stranger to the volunteer scene. She first began volunteering in 2003 with NOAA, helping to protect whales along the west coast and participating in beach cleanups. Later she assisted the Redondo Beach SEA Lab’s efforts to monitor the presence of plastics and joined forces with the Redondo Beach Police Department.
In 2011, Susanne came across an advertisement calling for BCHD/CHF volunteer applications – and she’s been a regular contributor ever since.
“I thought helping out at the health center would get me to the gym more often and it definitely does,” says Susanne, who suffers from arthritis and understands the health benefits that come with volunteering. “I also walk in the park a lot and have stayed active. It’s very important that I keep moving.”
Aside the physical benefits associated with volunteering, Susanne also loves to give back to the community. “Being a volunteer keeps you involved with what’s going on around you, and helps you make connections to everyone in the area.”
Her favorite part about working at CHF is the opportunity to interact with the staff, volunteers and general public. “A lot of the same people come to CHF often, so you maintain connections and meet new people all the time,” says Suzanne. “And the people who work there are very down-to-earth and treat seniors with respect. It’s a wonderful environment.”
What’s more, while on a recent vacation Suzanne had the opportunity to apply some knowledge gleaned from her volunteer work at CHF to help someone in need.
“The physical therapist at CHF, Brian, showed us a stretch for our backs a while ago,” says Suzanne. “Then weeks later when I was on vacation, there was a guy in our group that couldn’t get out of bed, so I taught the stretch to his wife, and she shared it with her husband. Well, it ended up helping him get out of bed and enjoy the rest of the trip! I wouldn’t have been able to help him if I didn’t volunteer at the gym.”
Ask why she loves to volunteer and Suzanne will say: “It’s better than staying home. Many seniors stay at home and end up getting more and more sedentary. Volunteering changes your life. It gives you something to enjoy and gets you to interact with others. It’s something to look forward to.”
Written with thanks to Ashley Smaldino
