There are very few 2020 New Year’s resolutions anyone could make that guarantee they will be connected to “Golden Opportunities.”

That is why the Sandy Hook volunteer service agency of the same name is seeking a few committed new volunteers in 2020 to help deliver the smiles and support they spread through area nursing homes and care facilities year-round.

“Our volunteers really build up a relationship — not just between Golden Opportunities and the facilities that are our partners — but between the volunteers and the seniors they visit,” said Director of Operations Neil Callaghan, who helps connect Golden Opportunities volunteers to partner facilities.

“Typically, we have a lot of retired persons volunteering because their schedules are flexible, but we know there are younger people, those who work open schedules, students, and others who could commit to the same couple of hours on one day each month to help lead an activity,” he said. “We’ll take them all!”

The agency was established in 2006, serving two eldercare facilities, and at one point had expanded to touch those residing in more than two dozen nursing homes, retirement centers, and independent living communities in southern Connecticut — along with three in Maine.

All Golden Opportunities programs and activities are provided at no cost to the facilities or their residents, and that is why new volunteers for the New Year are a prime focus for Mr Callaghan right now.

“Most of our volunteers tend to like the one-on-one visits with single residents they can schedule for about an hour, twice a month,” he said. “But we can touch so many more of these folks if we had more volunteers who could lead activities... Keno, bingo, trivia, ‘Name That Tune’ — these are activities where one volunteer, once a month, can make a big difference in the lives of 10, 15, 25 people. And you just need to show up.”

For those looking to explore Golden Opportunities in 2020, here are the options agency volunteers can provide:

*One-on-one visitation with residents of eldercare facilities through its ‘Friendly Visitor’ program;

*Weekly phone calls to seniors in need of social interaction and stimulation through its Warmline program;

*Interactive programs designed to engage and stimulate residents (art classes, games, ice cream socials, live music, wheelchair-accessible gardening, and service projects such as preparing sandwiches for local area soup kitchens);

*Personal grooming assistance for limited income residents through its “I Feel Pretty” program;

*Grant special wishes, or provide gifts for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, July 4th, and other holidays;

*Respite for caregivers (weekend retreats, seminars, luncheons, etc.) to promote rest, information-sharing, and peer interaction and support

For details, call 203-426-3301, visit goldenopps.org, or check the agency’s Facebook site, facebook.com/goldenoppsct.