Nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic, Mesa County finally received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine in mid-December. 

Mesa County Public Health and area hospitals immediately administered the liquid gold from the tiny vials to the first priority group. In early January, when the mass vaccination point of dispensing location opened, the need for additional staff became apparent. Thankfully, Grand Valley residents stepped up and offered to volunteer their time.

“The community interest in making this vaccination effort a success is gratifying,” said Sue Kiser, volunteer coordinator at the Mesa County Public Health mass COVID-19 vaccination site.

Since the site opened, about 450 residents have signed up to help in positions from vaccinators to greeters. 

“It’s important. It’s just so important,” said Diana Nicholes, a volunteer at the vaccination site. After retiring as a school teacher, Nicholes found it easy to give her time to benefit the community.

For retirees, volunteering can be especially fulfilling, Nicholes said. “This makes me feel productive.”

According to the Corporation of National and Community Service, a federal agency that promotes volunteerism, Americans over 60 who volunteer reported lower disability and higher levels of well-being relative to non-volunteers. 

Not only is the act of volunteering fulfilling for the older population, but it’s also a health booster.

Volunteering also can lead to the next paying job for members of the work force. Adam Kinsey, a vaccination site volunteer and owner of the Handlebar Tap House in Grand Junction, said, “A diversity of thought and interest is good for any business, and volunteering is usually an indication of that.”

A study conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service confirmed Kinsey’s observation. According to the study of more than 70,000 jobless people tracked between 2002 and 2012, those who volunteered had a 27 percent better chance of finding a job than those who didn’t.

No matter what stage of life you’re in, volunteering is a good idea —  and combating the spread of a pandemic is icing on the cake.

Those interesting in volunteering to help with COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Mesa County should visit health.mesacounty.us and click on the “volunteer To help” button.