Volunteers recognized for community service with RSVP

RSVP Staff Report

RSVP offers a wide variety of opportunities in which volunteers may apply their skills, talents, and life experiences to help meet community needs.

RSVP is a national senior volunteer program administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. ElderCircle RSVP has been serving Itasca and Koochiching counties since 1981. The mission of ElderCircle RSVP is “to provide people age 55 and over choices and challenges for volunteer service that will enrich their lives and benefit the communities they serve.”

ElderCircle RSVP recently hosted its 27th annual volunteer recognition event to honor the 245 dedicated RSVP volunteers that served 32,075 hours in volunteer service to the communities of Koochiching County in 2007. This year’s volunteer recognition event featured a special luncheon and program held at the Evangelical Covenant Church Family Center in International Falls. Chrystal Clance, RSVP coordinator for Koochiching County was emcee for the special occasion, and Valerie Cromell, director of the ElderCircle RSVP project in Itasca and Koochiching Counties, was guest speaker.

RSVP volunteer Tom Wagner shared a very interesting video presentation about Rainy Lake, and Karen Layman catered the delicious meal and dessert. Each RSVP volunteer received a personal gift, and many volunteers won prizes in the drawings held throughout the event.

A total of 62 personalized awards were presented to Koochiching County RSVP volunteers in the following categories: volunteer service of 300 or more hours in 2007; volunteer service of 20 or more years in the RSVP program; and volunteer service of 2,000 or more lifetime hours.

Outstanding Service Awards for 2007 were presented to volunteers Betty Ericson, Lynda Faith, Signe Hardwig and Genevieve Ziemba (all of International Falls) for serving 500-plus hours; Mary Thydean (Littlefork) for serving 693 hours; and the following of the Falls: Pamela Hanson for serving 720 hours, Margarete Kostiuk for serving 838 hours, Mary Roche for serving 963 hours, and Dan Burgess for serving 1,204 hours; in 2007. Volunteers from the International Falls area who received awards for 20 or more years of service with RSVP included Margarete Kostiuk (25 years), Viola Borden (23 years), Lillian Flovick (23 years), Signe Hardwig (23 years), Alma Bigler (22 years), and Dorothy Iraci (20 years). Northome area volunteers included Betty Boquist (22 years), Nancy Kananen (20 years), and Marjorie White (20 years).

RSVP partners with, and provides volunteer placements at, many nonprofit organizations throughout Koochiching County. Volunteer activities and placements include, tutoring students, recruiting and scheduling blood donors, income tax preparation, health insurance counseling, friendly visitation, driving clients to medical appointments, assisting with special community events, advocating for seniors, caring for the environment, serving on community boards and committees, fund raising activities, knitting-crocheting-sewing items for those in need, assisting with bulk mailings, helping with food distribution at area food shelves, and providing support at area schools, libraries, museums, hospitals, senior centers, parks, etc. throughout Koochiching County.

RSVP volunteers may choose one-time-only, temporary, occasional, short or long-term placements. RSVP offers pre-service orientation, in-service training, free supplemental insurance while volunteering, and on-going recognition and support. Volunteers may also claim a modest quarterly mileage reimbursement. New volunteers may be interested in participating in one or more of the ElderCircle RSVP “signature” programs which include the America Reads, HandyHands, SWAT Team, and Warm Fuzzies programs.

The ElderCircle RSVP program in Koochiching County is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Minnesota Board on Aging, the United Way of Northeastern MN, the Blandin Foundation, and Koochiching County Community Services. Anyone age 55 or over is invited to enroll in the ElderCircle RSVP program and is offered many choices for interesting and rewarding volunteer opportunities throughout Koochiching County.

Call Chrystal Clance at 218-283-6467 for more information.

“Make a difference in your community – volunteer,” say directors.

For photos, pick up today’s edition of The Daily Journal.