Friday March 29, 2024
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The work of more than 450 retired and senior volunteers in the Louisville area will be honored at a special event on Tues., Oct. 29.  The Louisville Metro Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) annual recognition event will take place at The Olmsted, 3701 Frankfort Ave., from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  The theme will be centered on “Fall & Halloween.”

As part of the city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS), RSVP connects persons age 55 and over with their choice of over 40 public service and non-profit locations, including American Red Cross, Hosparus Health, Senior Nutrition Centers, Dare to Care, Community Ministries and the Robley Rex VA Medical Center.

RSVP members will be joined by volunteer site representatives, Senior Corps Advisory Council members and RCS staff.

“Through their volunteerism, these senior citizens are making a real and positive difference in their communities and demonstrate every day how our city is compassionate and resilient,” said Eric Friedlander, director of Louisville Metro RCS. “We look forward to this event so we take time to applaud all these volunteers who share their time and talents.”

During this year’s celebration, 51 RSVP volunteers who reached their dedicated, volunteer service milestones of five to 25 years will receive special recognition.  Also featured will be a salute to the 85 veterans who serve as RSVPs.  Other honors include acknowledging two RSVP members who received the Jayne Thomas Grassroots Volunteerism Award from the National Community Action Partnership Annual Convening this past August.  Another 27 RSVP volunteers were honored last month at the University of Louisville Trager Institute’s Gold Standard Optimal Aging Award Luncheon for being 85 years of age and older and continuing their volunteerism.

Stephon Dingle, WLKY 32 News anchor, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

“RSVP volunteers generously give their energy, skills and caring dedication toward providing over 75,000 hours annually resulting in more than $1.2 million in savings/service impact for their agencies. This celebration is their public ‘thank you’.  Everyone with RSVP makes a difference in this community touching lives daily,” said RSVP Program Coordinator, Chris Clements.

RSVP is federally sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), and this year’s event sponsors include UofL Trager Institute and AARP Kentucky.

For more information on RSVP activities or to learn how to become a volunteer, call (502) 574-1530 or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/retired-and-senior-volunteer-program-rsvp.

Mayor Greg Fischer today honored the work of more than 500 active volunteers of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP.

“The citizens who serve as RSVP volunteers demonstrate compassion in action year round,” said Mayor Fischer. “I am grateful to them for helping to make our city stronger, and an even better place to live.”

RSVP connects people age 55 and older with their choice of over 50 public service and non-profit locations, including American Red Cross, CASA, Dare to Care, and the Robley Rex VA Medical Center.

“The RSVP volunteers generously give their energy, skills and caring dedication toward providing over $1.5 million in savings/service impact for their agencies. This celebration is their public ‘thank you,’” said RSVP Program Coordinator, Christopher Clements.

Recent surveys, including one of RSVP members, showed that seniors believed that volunteering helps them stay mentally focused, more socially connected and physically active.  The volunteer members’ positive outcomes for their clients and themselves greatly support Louisville’s status as a “Compassionate City.”

For more information on RSVP activities or to learn how to become a volunteer, call (502) 574-1350 or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/community-services/retired-and-senio….

The event today themed, “Thanks for lending a hand to your community,” was held at The Olmsted, (Masonic Home Campus) 3701 Frankfort Ave. and sponsored by Passport Health Plan. The Rev. Ron Loughry, Executive Director of Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries, and winner of the 2015 ElderServe’s “Champion for Aging” served as master of ceremonies. During the celebration, 82 RSVP volunteers who reached their dedicated, volunteer service milestones of five to 25 years were recognized.

Part of the city’s Community Services Department, Louisville Metro RSVP is federally funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service/Senior Corps and locally sponsored by Louisville Metro Department of Community Services, Division of Advocacy & Empowerment.

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