RSVP volunteer Ruth Coates says she volunteers to keep her mind active, to stay busy and because she enjoys helping people. Coates has been volunteering with Salt Lake County Sheriff's Protective Services for 25 years. She provides "invaluable services" to the public by responding to and dispatching officers to various alarm calls, helping people find the services they are looking for and assisting staff in myriad other ways, said Vicki Jo Hansen, who oversees the program.

"Ruth certainly lives her philosophy," Hansen said. "At age 91 she shows no signs of slowing down." —

Volunteer today

I Interested in delivering meals to seniors, mentoring troubled teens or playing board games with veterans? Opportunities are available by the thousands in Utah, where government and nonprofit agencies are looking for helping hands. Here are a couple of places to look.

Salt Lake County Aging Services • Those interested in volunteering should call Vicki Jo Hansen at 385-468-3239.

United Way 2-1-1 • Go to uw.org/volunteer. The organization maintains a list of projects that can be narrowed by neighborhood and interests.

Have a volunteer you would like to highlight? Email us at closeup@sltrib.com.