Older Women Living Single, or OWLS, are “giving a hoot” for their second year. The nonprofit organization is a support group for volunteers, not vice versa. Members are single women age 55 and older who either volunteer for another organization in some capacity or who simply practice “random acts of kindness.” They may drive neighbors to doctor's appointments, buy groceries, pick up a daily newspaper or clean a sick friend's home.
The OWLS was founded by Jodi Puckett, of Ocean City, who got the idea for the group in 2004 after she was hit by a car and seriously injured. She couldn't afford extended treatment, so she came home wheelchair-bound and found that friends and neighbors, even some she barely knew, were there to offer her assistance.
“It was because of their compassion that I thought of founding a group of women who lived alone and needed help,” Puckett said. “I knew there were many older women who spent a good part of their days volunteering, so I wanted to start a group that would not only help people, but help the people who help people.”
At the time Puckett was injured, she volunteered for 10 other organizations.
“I had to stop volunteering for a lot of groups after the accident,” Puckett said. “But I still help friends and neighbors and I'm very busy with the OWLS. The members have such empathy, such desire to help others. OWLS do whatever we can for each other, and then we help people who are recommended to us by members. Many of the women who come to meetings have never met each other, but we form instantaneous bonds because we share the same spirit. It's just a wonderful group of women who truly care for one another and for their communities as well.”
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