Meet the Volunteer: Eddie in Colorado
Eddie Pinckney (80) is a veteran of the Air Force and Navy, a retired engineer, and a cancer survivor. Nowadays when Eddie isn’t at Coors Field, where he is widely beloved as the Rockies’ #1 Usher, he spends his time volunteering at the Senior Planet Center in Lowry, CO. We caught up with Eddie to talk about why he loves volunteering at Senior Planet!
What are your volunteer responsibilities at Senior Planet?
I do whatever they want me to! I work the front desk. I register people for classes. I greet people as they come in. Make sure the coffee is ok. And just talk to everybody!
They all know my name. They kind of make me happy by calling me by my first name. I call them by their name. And just see how life is going.
You act as the “bouncer” for the Senior Planet Social Club in Colorado. What are those events like?
It’s a gathering place. When I was a kid, we would have dances in the gym. And all the guys would be on one side, and all the women on the other side. We would look at one another, then all of a sudden, we might start dancing.
But the socials here, everybody gets together and talks. Some of the people bring in stuff to eat, and we just have a good time. Sometimes I tell jokes. It’s all just a party atmosphere!
Why do you love volunteering?
I get to talk to people, and there’s some other military personnel who come in and we kind of just chit-chat. See how things are going.
Also, I have this smartphone. And I know what troubles I have with it. So, by helping other people, and by directing the people, in what classes or lectures we are having on that day, it helped me by helping them.
And then, when someone is new, I give them a tour of the place. I try to make everybody be relaxed and feel welcomed. And I think I do an okay job. Because I know what I love.
What does aging with attitude mean to you?
I’m still getting smarter and I’m still learning more about life.
Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.
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Comments
Eddy, Even though I haven’t seen you in years you are still a very dear friend to me and you were a wonderful neighbor. I am so happy that you are still volunteering for the Rockies and happy to hear you are volunteering at other places. As my Grandmother said at the age of 90 “You can learn something new everyday” I miss you my friend! Nanette
We love you Grandpop and we are so proud of the work you do!
Mr. Eddie is a great guy , I can tell ! His youthful happy eyes make me smile. At 71 with health issues, I feel uncertain about the future because nobody gives me a straight answer. I see Eddie at 80 living an active life, enjoying the Now, and it makes me feel hopefully. Party on Eddie :)
Go Eddie! Our son in law retired in MI and spent 2 summers volunteering at the Comerica Park with the Detroit Tigers. He lived attending mass with them at the field too. Great job!
Sandra and Chris Imboden