What drives them to do it?

People who volunteer offer insights:
"Volunteering pays you in satisfaction. It's a very giving thing."
-- Gerry Demchak
A Poland resident and RSVP member, Demchak is celebrating her 12th anniversary as a volunteer at Tod Children's Hospital. A member of her church suggested she volunteer there after she complained that the places where she'd offered her services put her on a waiting list.
"I like to be around people and I think it's wonderful to help someone else. By doing that you help yourself."
-- Agnes Krut
A Campbell resident and volunteer at Northside Medical Center, Krut is a member of RSVP, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, a division of Volunteer Services Agency Inc. She spends at least 10 hours a week volunteering in the family waiting room at the hospital where she serves as a liaison between families and physicians, nurses, the recovery room and surgery. She also volunteers at the school where she taught and baby-sits three days a week. Her husband, Nick, also is a volunteer.
"It's fun. I enjoy it. It's a challenge. And it's all worthwhile if I can get one young person to look up to somebody other than the drug dealer on the corner."
-- Anthony Feldes
He's commander of VFW Post 6488, a member of RSVP, and a volunteer who teaches kids about the role of the black soldier in the history of the United States. Next year, one of the schools where he and his partner make their presentations will offer 1/2 credit to students for completing a special project on black soldiers.
"It's nice to interact with people. I get as much out of it as the listeners. The listeners and I both benefit equally."
-- Don Reisinger
He's a volunteer host and co-host of three radio shows produced by Youngstown Radio Reading Services. Reisinger, who's been blind since birth, said he's always appreciated what volunteers have done for him and wanted to do something that would benefit someone else. He's volunteered at Youngstown Radio Reading Services since 1984 and at his church operating the public address system since 1991.
"If you like to volunteer, you don't even think about the time it takes."
-- Kathy L. Howell
She's a volunteer and co-host at Youngstown Radio Reading Services. Howell said she's always volunteered whenever she saw that there was a need for someone to do something. When her children were young, she volunteered to help out with Bible school, Camp Fire Girls, Rainbow and school activities. She's also made hats and mittens for needy children and volunteered to co-host Friend to Friend, a radio program that appeals to women, after suggesting that Youngstown Radio Reading Services incorporate such a program into its schedule. Howell is blind and is a loyal listener of the organization's programs.
"I get more out of it than they do. I like meeting different people."
-- Millie Santangelo
She's a volunteer in the gift shop at Northside Medical Center from Liberty. Upon retiring after 20 years as a cashier in a grocery store, Santangelo found herself missing the chats she'd have with customers and she missed meeting new people. A friend suggested she volunteer to work in the hospital gift shop. Now, she looks forward to the four hours she spends there each week.