Steve Sumerford, assistant director of the Greensboro Public Library is, at 54, solidly a Guilford Boomer.

Sumerford says that as a boomer, he is in the middle. Many at his workplace are younger than he is; while in his life at home, he is becoming more and more concerned with caring for aging parents.

“Most of the time, I feel energized by younger co-workers,” says Sumerford. “I appreciate the fact that so many of them have grown up online and they have a different set of experiences than I do.”

Sumerford says that it intrigues him that so much of what was important to him and to his development growing up in the 1960s and 1970s – including the national conversation about social justice, equal rights and U.S. foreign policy – is largely silent today.

“I think that the fact that what was going on for me in high school and college really shaped me about my career and how to spend my time and money,” says Sumerford. “There is really a cultural clash there that just has to do with perspective in the world. It is amazing to me that people can take so many things for granted.”

Sumerford says that many who are younger consider the gains that African-Americans, women and gay people have made to be ancient history, instead of having a real appreciation for those struggles – and recognizing that what people went through was both dangerous and part of a relatively recent past.

In his personal life, Sumerford says that his mother-in-law is 87 and lives in assisted living in Greensboro, while his mother, who is 77, lives with his 79-year-old stepfather and hour and a half from here in Moore County.

Even with the challenges of being a Baby Boomer, Sumerford says that he is heartened by what he sees among many younger people, who are bringing their own values to the idea of making a difference in the world.

“I am happy to see that there is a growing number of college students and young adults in Greensboro who are getting involved in social change and peace work. They are doing it differently from the way my generation did it and that’s a good thing. They organize meetings and activities with text messaging and blogs. We used to have to turn the crank on a mimeograph machine to get the word out.”

As Guilford Boomers, we share more than high school reunions and hairlines. We also have aging parents in common. As an organizational extension of Senior Resources of Guilford, GuilfordBoomers.org is your link to resources, experts and services to help you care for aging parents and family members.

GuilfordBoomers.org is a great way to meet up with other boomers who share your elder care requirements or get fast help for a changing situation in your family.

For more information about Senior Resources of Guilford, click here.

Want a way to help out? Got some time one morning a month?

You're needed.

When you bring a nutritious noon time meal to homebound adults, you're gonna make some friends. And that's part of the job, too! We're looking for delivery drivers who consider a smile the best tip they'll ever get.

Qualifications? Compassion is a big plus, but you're a Boomer, so that comes easily. But basically, you just need a car and a driver's license and to be reasonably good with maps.

If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Coordinator James Joyce at (336) 373-4816 

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) needs a hand, or more specifically, your hands - to knit and clip.

Volunteers who enjoy knitting, crocheting or sewing are needed for the RSVP Virtual Hands program, which has partnered with area agencies to provide handmade donations including baby caps for newborns at High Point Regional Health System; handmade blankets for Project Linus and other handmade items for numerous local agencies.

Yarn is provided for the baby caps -- and donations of yarn are greatly appreciated.

RSVP is also asking for volunteers to help out with the "Virtual Coupons," program, in which volunteers collect, clip and mail coupons for military families overseas.

For more information and to sign up to participate, please contact Shelley Sitko at Senior Resources of Guilford at 373-4816 to become an RSVP volunteer. Your help is needed and appreciated.

Can you mow grass? Paint a fence? Or is your speed more like data entry or sitting in a recliner?

If you can say yes to any of these things, then have we got an opportunity for you!

James Joyce, volunteer coordinator for Senior Resources of Guilford, says that needs remain for volunteers within the Handy Helpers and Friendly Visitors programs; with general office work at the Senior Center at 301 E. Washington St. in Greensboro and with general assistance at any one of the nine nutrition sites.

Handy Helpers volunteers do light yardwork and repairs for senior citizens who are unable to do the work on their own and Friendly Visitors needs volunteers who are willing to visit with senior citizens.

Interested? Contact Joyce at (336) 373-4816. 

Yes, it's summer. And that means that Senior Resources of Guilford is already gearing up for Santas For Seniors, which normally runs from Thanksgiving through the end of the year. Volunteer coordinator James Joyce said that he is already adding to his list of volunteers and civic organizations who come together once a year to make sure the holiday season is brighter for Guilford County's senior citizens. To volunteer, please contact Joyce at (336) 373-4816.