Research on volunteerism has focused primarily on the recipients of this activity as opposed to
the volunteers themselves. We examined the characteristics and experiences of older adults who
volunteered with Family Friends, a program designed to assist families who have children with
chronic illnesses or disabilities living at home. A profile of volunteers who remained involved
in the program after their requested 9-month commitment and those who did not was also
developed Results suggested that Family Friends volunteers experienced a mutually beneficial
relationship between themselves and families that provided them with a sense of purpose and
personal competence. Volunteers who stayed with the program beyond their required commitment were more highly educated, received a higher annual income, were more likely to volunteer
with other organizations, and reported higher life satisfaction. Implications for volunteer
recruiting and longevity are discussed.
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