FRIENDS OF LANSING'S HISTORIC CEMETERIES: Our April meeting presenter is Loretta S. Stanaway, President of Lansing's Friends of Lansing's Historic Cemeteries.The Friends "promote, protect and prosper" Lansing's three city-owned cemeteries: Evergreen, Mt. Hope and North. They hold many free events and activities throughout the year, including an annual fall walking tour of Mt. Hope Cemetery, a 5K run/walk inside Mt. Hope Cemetery, restore downed monuments and conduct private tours for other non-profits, charitable and social organizations and MSU professors. Click on the above link amd scroll down the page to learn more.
APRIL IS VOLUNTEER MONTH: Let us not forget that there would be no Ingham County Genealogical Society without volunteers. We are a 100% volunteer organization starting with the Executive Board and various committee members. In addition to the usual society activities, endless hours were spent over the this past year packing, moving and unpacking our Resource Room's collection of books, files and supplies.

The Independent Sector, an organization that gathers tons of statistics about charitable activities, places an estimated National Value of each volunteer hour every year. For 2019 that value for an adult was $27.20 an hour - although the actual amount varies from state, to state, but we can see that volunteers are precious people. For many the volunteer work is more valuable than the regular work.
A lot of research has gone into volunteering and the results are all in favor of the volunteer. There are social, emotional physical and professional perks in addition to the fact that volunteering makes us feel good. Here are five proven benefits of volunteering.
- Volunteering Builds Community. Volunteers strengthen their community and their social networks by vounteering.
- Promotes Longevity. While everyone benefits from a little boost in physical health, long-term volunteers have longer lives, less disease and better overall health.
- Reduces Risk of Alzheimer's. Some research as shown that people who volunteer may be at lower risk of dementia.
- Leads to Graceful Aging. Older volunteers benefit the most from getting out of the house, engaging with others and moving physically. Purpose and collaboration result in mental health improviements and a better outlook on life.
- Adds Fun to Your Years. Volunteering is just plain fun!