SUN LAKES — As temperatures rise across Arizona, so does the need for compassionate community support.

Neighbors Who Care, a nonprofit dedicated to helping seniors in Sun Lakes and south Chandler, needs help filling a need for summer volunteers to help fill the growing gap left by seasonal departures, according to a news release.

Each summer, many of the organization’s regular volunteers head out of town, some to escape the heat, others for family vacations. But for the seniors who rely on Neighbors Who Care for help with everyday essentials, summer doesn’t bring a break.

Their needs, from transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and companionship, remain constant and, in many cases, increase during this isolating season.

“With limited mobility and fewer social interactions, many of our clients spend long days indoors alone to avoid the extreme heat,” says Sheryl Keeme, executive director of Neighbors Who Care, in the release. “Isolation in older adults can lead to depression, cognitive decline, and serious health risks. Even a short visit or a ride to the doctor can change someone’s day, or even their life.”

At Neighbors Who Care, volunteers aren’t just drivers or errand runners. They’re meant to be companions, listeners, and lifelines.

Whether it’s sharing a laugh on the way to a medical appointment or offering a kind word during a grocery run, the impact of volunteering is both immediate and deeply personal, the release states.

Volunteering doesn’t just change lives, it builds lasting friendships and stronger communities, according to the release.

Volunteers are needed this summer for:

• Transportation to medical appointments

• Grocery shopping and errands

• Friendly visits

Whether volunteering a few hours a week or just for the summer, one can make a lasting difference. Volunteers can choose assignments based on their availability, making it easy to give back in a way that fits their schedule.

Services are provided Monday through Friday in the Sun Lakes and south Chandler area.

“You don’t need special skills…just a big heart and a little time,” Keeme said. “It’s about making connections, showing up, and reminding our aging neighbors they’re not alone.”

Learn more and sign up today by clicking on this link.

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