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Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 9, 2025 For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net Savvy Senior by Jim Miller How to Choose a Volunteer Vacation Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about volunteer vacation programs? I’m a healthy, 60-year-old, single woman, and am interested in doing some solo traveling, but would like to tie it with something meaningful. Purposeful Traveler Dear Traveler, If you’re looking to do more on your next vacation than relax in the sun or go sightseeing, volunteer vacations – also known as voluntourism – which combine travel and volunteer work, are a great alternative for solo travelers and have become increasingly popular among older adults. Volunteer Vacations There are many organizations today that offer short-term volunteer vacation projects in the U.S. and abroad, lasting anywhere from a few days to a few months. Common program themes include teaching English, working with children and teens, building and repairing homes and schools, and assisting with community or environmental projects. In addition, volunteer vacations also give travelers the opportunity to experience the culture more fully and connect with the local people – much different than your run-of-themill sightseeing vacation. Most volunteer vacation groups accept singles, couples and families and you don’t need to speak a foreign language. Costs usually range from around $1,000 to $3,000 per week, not including transportation to the country your site is in. Fees typically cover pre-trip orientation information, room and board, on-site training, ground transportation once you get there, the services of a project leader, and a contribution to the local community that covers material and services related to the project. And, if the organization running your trip is a nonprofit, the cost of your trip, including airfare, is probably tax-deductible. Where to Look While there are many organizations that offer volunteer vacations, here are some good options to look into. • Global Volunteers (globalvolunteers.org): A pioneer in global travel, this group tackles hunger, poverty and educational needs. It offers a variety of one, two and three-week service programs in 12 countries, including the U.S. • Earthwatch Institute (earthwatch.org): With an emphasis in environmental conservation and research, they offer dozens of one and two-week expeditions in countries all over the world. • Conservation VIP (conservationvip.org): Provides environmental conservation volunteer projects to seven destinations abroad and three in the U.S. • Biosphere Expeditions (biosphereexpeditions.org): Offers wildlife conservation expeditions in six countries. • Habitat for Humanity (habitat.org): Offers international house-building trips through its Global Village Program in 16 countries. • Natucate (natucate.com): With a focus on nature and species conservation, they offer oneto-12-week trips in 32 different countries. • American Hiking Society (americanhiking. org): Targeting hikers and backpackers they offer weekend and week-long volunteer vacations in the U.S. that focus on building and maintaining trails. • International Volunteer HQ (volunteerhq. org): Offers a wide variety of one-to-24-week volunteer service projects in dozens of countries. How to Choose With so many different volunteer vacations to choose from, selecting one can be difficult. To help you decide, you need to think specifically about what you want. For example: Where you want to go and for how long? What types of work are you interested in doing? What kind of living situation and accommodations do you want? Do you want to volunteer alone or with a group? Do you want a rural or urban placement? Also consider your age and health. Are you up to the task, or do you have any special needs that will need to be met? Once you figure out what you want and spot a few volunteer vacations that interest you, ask the organization to send you information that describes the accommodations, the fees and what they cover including their refund policy, the work schedule and work details, and anything else you have questions about. Also, get a list of previous volunteers and call them. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. - LEGAL NOTICE - City of Malden Massachusetts Board of Appeal 215 Pleasant Street Malden, Massachusetts 02148 Telephone 781-397-7000 x2104 MALDEN BOARD OF APPEAL PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Board of Appeal will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 6:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada) at Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant St, Room #106 Herbert L Jackson Council Chambers, Malden, MA on Petition 25-004 by Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital, seeking a variance under Code of the City of Malden as amended – Title 4.16.090 Sign Control as per Plans SGER-071860-2025 at the property known as and numbered 100 Hospital Rd., Malden, MA and also known by City Assessor’s Parcel ID #025-104-401 Additional information, Petition & plans available for public review in the Office of Inspectional Services, 215 Pleasant St., 3rd floor, Malden, MA or online at www. cityofmalden.org or https://maldenma-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/Self Nathaniel Cramer, Chair May 2, May 9, 2025 - LEGAL NOTICE - City of Malden Massachusetts Board of Appeal 215 Pleasant Street Malden, Massachusetts 02148 Telephone 781-397-7000 x2104 MALDEN BOARD OF APPEAL PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Board of Appeal will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 6:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada) at Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant St, Room #106 Herbert L Jackson Council Chambers, Malden, MA on Petition 25-006 by Jose Urias seeking a variance under Code of the City of Malden as amended – Title 12.16.060 Table of Intensity Regulations: Specifically: Front Setback/Stairs as per Plans Res-070080-2025 at the property known as and numbered 35 Hazelwood St., Malden, MA and also known by City Assessor’s Parcel ID #097-423-310 Additional information, Petition & plans available for public review in the Office of Inspectional Services, 215 Pleasant St., 3rd floor, Malden, MA or online at www.cityofmalden. org or https://maldenma-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/Self Service#/home Nathaniel Cramer, Chair May 2, May 9, 2025

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