Last week, when Pope Francis spoke to a joint session of Congress, he touched upon some major issues facing our nation and the world, issues like immigration, poverty, refugees and climate change.

But tucked in the middle of his address, he gave a nod to senior citizens and how much they contribute a lot to our well being.

That speech prompted me to call one of the region's major league volunteers, Estelle Appel, and ask her if she thought senior citizens were important contributors to our community.

“Of course,” she answered.

I picked her because in the 50 years I have been visiting and living in Boothbay, it seems she has always been involved with one group or another.

She has volunteered for groups like Lincoln Arts, the Boothbay Student Aid Fund, the Boothbay Civic Association, the Fishermen's Memorial Fund and its popular Fishermen's Festival. At one time she was active in Republican politics, but she has sort of backed off on that project, at least for a while.

She chatted with me as she prepared materials needed to put on the annual Boothbay Charities Classic lobster bake/golf fundraising event held last weekend.

“You know,” she said, beginning with a familiar phrase. “You know, just this morning I was talking to Holly Smith at Hannafords and we were talking about just that. She does a lot of volunteer work and is a hard worker.”

“Holly said it is the older people you can depend upon and I agree.”

Some of the younger people have no qualms about backing out after they promise to help. Sometimes they back out with not even a phone call (to tell you they will be absent) she said.

“It is wonderful that so many older folks volunteer. And they arrive on time, do what they are supposed to do, and they do it with a smile on their faces,” she said.

Like most of us, Estelle understands that many groups depend on volunteers, like Lincoln Arts, the BCA and the Masons.

“The older folks are very, very valuable to these groups,” she said.

For some reason, it seems that as the membership of many groups is getting older, fewer younger folks are signing up to carry on.

It didn't used to be that way.

When Estelle was growing up in Boothbay, she said many adults, like her family, were involved with group activities.

Her mother was very active in the Pythian Sisters, a women's group affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal and service organization.

“The Pythian Sisters would meet every month. Their meetings were packed. People would bring a covered dish. Mother would get all dressed up because it was a special treat to go out for an evening,” she said.

Then, she explained, many people didn't have cars and an evening out was something to look forward to. Today, you can go out anytime you want.

In some cases, younger families have valid reasons for not getting involved with community groups. Many work long hours to put bread on the table and pay skyrocketing heating bills. Many do not have time, and in some cases, the inclination, to participate in volunteer community activities.

Nationwide, you hear the same story over and over. In some locations the lack of younger members has seen some prominent volunteer groups, even critical ones, like volunteer fire departments, give up, or scale back their traditional activities.

In our little communities, many of our best-known events and celebrations are staffed by volunteers. Many of these volunteers have gray hair.

Estelle reeled off a rough list of organizations that count on senior volunteers.

“You have the food pantry and the Y and the Y camp. You have that group (Set for Success) that distributes school supplies. Then you have thrift shops run by the St. Andrews Auxiliary and animal shelter. The Friends of the Library run the used book shop. There are volunteers helping out with Windjammer Days and the Harbor Fest,” she said.

Don't forget, we have had some senior citizens who have made major financial donations to our community.

She didn't mention it, but a mostly volunteer group made up of mostly senior citizens called the Woodchucks cut dozens of cords of wood each year to help provide heat for our friends and neighbors.

Volunteer service also benefits volunteers.

“Sometimes I would just as soon sit home and read a book. But I like to socialize, too,” said Estelle.

“When I go out, (and volunteer) I meet new people and learn what is going on in town. I enjoy that, too,” she said.

“You know,” she said, returning to a familiar phrase. “We are one of the oldest communities in the state and the nation. I don't know what we would do with out our senior volunteers.”