Dale & Ziggy...

Dale Hoppe and her husband Ziggy have discovered the secret to happiness in retirement and their finding might surprise you; the key lies in helping others. When they entered retirement, Dale and Ziggy noticed that they were spending a great deal of time at home, sitting in front of the television. It didn't take too long before they realized that they could use their new-found free time to get involved in their community; and did they ever!

When Dale and Ziggy moved from the small hilltown of Huntington to Becket, they began searching for ways to make new friends in their new home. In the hopes of making fresh connections, they joined the Becket Council on Aging and began attending and volunteering at the community lunches. "There are many things that need to be done," Dale explained. "We had time on our hands and decided that instead of vegetating in front of the television, we would get involved."

Shortly after Dale and Ziggy moved to Becket, they discovered that the dining center in Huntington was looking for a new coordinator to operate the lunch program. Having been involved with the lunch program at the Becket dining center, Dale and Ziggy felt qualified to take on the job as co-coordinators. In addition, they had the benefit of having lived in Huntington for over fifty years and knew many of the individuals who would be joining them for lunch. "My family has been in Huntington for over two hundred years, so we know most of our participants and their families," Dale describes. "We find it very rewarding to help people stay independent and connected to the outside world." Dale and Ziggy view the individuals who attend lunch as extended family with whom to share all of life's experiences. "We are joyous together in the happy times," Dale says, "and we worry and cry together in the bad times."

Taking charge of the dining center has given this enthusiastic team reason to get out of bed each morning. Dale says that she and Ziggy feel more useful and energetic and are happy to serve as a support system for those depending on them. Although they are deeply saddened when they lose a member of their extended family, both Dale and Ziggy cherish the time they spend with their neighbors on a daily basis and feel good knowing that by fostering the connections made at the dining center each day, they are making an eternal difference in their community.

Dale and Ziggy's example proves that no matter who you are or what your age is, you can make a difference in the lives of others if you take a chance and get involved. They know from experience how important it is to be involved in the community and hope that they can serve as an example for others to follow. Dale does have a bit of advice to offer, however. "Get involved as much as you are able, but jump in slowly and don't bite off more than you can chew!"