Local seniors need the Palmyra and Annville senior centers. The Palmyra and Annville senior centers need volunteers. And maybe, just maybe, some local seniors need volunteering.

It's a symbiotic relationship that the Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging (LCAAA) is attempting to navigate.

"Our volunteers are from all walks of life," said Bonner Davis, LCAAA's volunteer resources coordinator. "Some are just looking for meaning and purpose in their lives. There's something that happens when you retire. The first year is euphoric. But after about a year, it's like, 'Now what?' Our society is very driven and focused on productivity. Our volunteers find connections that bring meaning and purpose."

LCAAA is actively seeking volunteers to work at and work in association with the Palmyra Senior Community Center, 101 S. Railroad St., Palmyra, located within the Interfaith Manor building, and the Annville Senior Community Center, 200 S. White Oak St., Annville, located inside the Christ Church United Church of Christ building. To inquire about volunteering, go to http://www.lebanoncountypa.gov/departments/aging; dial 717-273-9262, ext. 5515; or email bonner.davis@lebanoncountypa.gov.

"Volunteers are needed everywhere, and we need volunteers to offer our programs," said Davis. "It's hard to quantify. But there has been an exponential growth in the 60-plus population in Lebanon County. Some seniors are looking for volunteer opportunities."

While the need for volunteers is great, it may be even greater for LCAAA programs like Meals on Wheels, Rent Rebate and Property Tax; wellness programs like Band Together, Healthy Steps and Walk With Ease; and Medicare Education and Decision Insight, as well as for administrative and office volunteers and senior center workers. LCAAA builds its volunteer hours around each individual's schedule.

Currently, LCAAA works with a roster of about 200 volunteers, some of whom are seasonal and some of whom are more active than others.

"We have a need that's there," said Davis. "It's not hard, it's not complicated, but it's important. There are a lot of areas where we need volunteers. One of the first questions I ask is, 'What are your interest areas?' or 'What's your background?' I try to guide volunteers to the opportunities that are there."

"It's a huge percentage of seniors helping seniors, because it's those people who have the time," he added. "But (volunteering) isn't exclusively for seniors. It's people who have unencumbered time on their hands. You are going to be serving people in your community. I want people to take a next step. I want them to reach out and connect with us and see what opportunities are available."

The senior centers in Palmyra and Annville, which are open between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, are two of the five that LCAA operates in the county. LCAA also runs senior centers in the city of Lebanon, in Myerstown and in Jonestown.

Each senior center is managed by an LCAAA staff member, who relies heavily on assistance from volunteers.

"The goal is to keep our seniors social, active, healthy and independent," said Davis. "Seniors need help too. They can be exploited. There are cases of elder abuse happening in our community. Who's watching out for these people and protecting them? Our goal is to come alongside these people and help them in any way we can."