Meet John “JJ” Goldrick, who volunteers at the information desk at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica.
JJ, 72, volunteers three days a week, and has been doing so since 2013. He is also a member of the hospital’s patient-family advisory council, an ambassador for the American Red Cross-Santa Monica Bay chapter and an active member of his church.
He began volunteering at the hospital soon after his wife passed in 2013. He appreciated the great care provided to his wife by hospital staff and wanted to give back to those who gave to him and his wife during a difficult time in their lives.
JJ regards his volunteer experiences as some of the most memorable and cherished times of his life. He believes the most important trait for volunteering is a love of people. “As a volunteer, I come across many different kinds of people from all walks of life,” he says. “You learn to practice listening skills, be patient and come from a loving and caring space.”
JJ’s motto is, “life is short,” so we must enjoy and appreciate the people around us and make every moment count.
His advice for those in their older-adult years? “Love what you do, get out there and share your life story and experiences with others,” he suggests. “You will gain as much as they do.”
Thanks for sharing your story, JJ.
Learn more about becoming a volunteer at UCLA Health.