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When Greg Burris saw his friends retire with plans that rarely extended beyond fishing or golfing, he realized something was missing in their lives. It was a sense of meaning and purpose.
As a former city manager of Springfield, Mo., Greg knew the power of civic engagement and community impact. That led him to create Give 5, a unique program that helps older adults to discover meaningful ways to volunteer in their communities.
In today’s episode, Greg shares how the program works, the incredible transformations it sparks, and why giving back might just be the most fulfilling part of retirement.
The Give 5 program isn’t just a clever name. It is a life-changing experience that invites older adults to give just five hours of volunteer time per month.
But more than that, it’s a civic matchmaking initiative that connects purpose-hungry retirees with nonprofit organizations in need of their experience and skills.
Greg developed the program to address a common problem: many retirees feel lost, isolated or even bored shortly after leaving their careers. They may have looked forward to relaxing or recreating, only to find those pursuits don’t offer lasting satisfaction.
Through a thoughtfully curated five-day class, Give 5 takes participants on a journey – both literally and emotionally.
Attendees board a bus each day to visit nonprofits across their community. These site visits aren’t just informational, they’re immersive.
Nonprofit leaders explain their missions, volunteers share personal testimonies, and participants get a genuine feel for the energy, culture and impact of each organization. These experiences help seasoned citizens understand not only what each nonprofit does, but also why it matters, and how their own unique skills could play a vital role.
The Give 5 program’s impact is measurable. In Missouri alone, Give 5 graduates contributed more than $4 million worth of volunteer service in a single year.
Participants often have a stronger sense of belonging, and greater trust in nonprofits. As Greg explained, Give 5 graduates tend to be “sticky” volunteers who stay committed because they feel genuinely connected to the causes they choose.
Currently operating in 13 cities across Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, Give 5 is proving that older adults are an untapped powerhouse of civic potential.
And thanks to the turnkey “Give 5 in a Box” licensing model, more cities can bring this inspiring program to their own residents.
Whether you’re approaching retirement or well into it, Give 5 offers a roadmap for discovering how you can use your life experience to make your community better and enrich your own life in the process.
To learn more about bringing the program to your city, visit give5program.com.
That’s all for this week’s show. If you’d like to start living a more meaningful life, I encourage you to download our free guide to finding purpose, which is available at www.forwardfrom50.com.
I’ll have another inspirational interview on the next episode of the Forward From 50 podcast. Thanks for listening. If you like this show, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.