Aroostook Retired & Senior Volunteers honored

“RSVP Bridging Generations” was the theme of the Aroostook Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) appreciation celebration held May 21. There were 50 volunteers in attendance at the 34th annual luncheon held at the Gentle Memorial Recreation Center in Houlton.
    Sponsored by the Aroostook Agency on Aging, RSVP supports about 500 volunteers countywide. The luncheon honored service completed from January 1 through December 31, 2008.
     Ranging in age from 55 to 97, the seniors are part of the 122 volunteers in the southern Aroostook area who donate their time to help meet critical needs in county non-profit and public programs as members of the retired and senior volunteer program.
RSVP program director Eleanor Reese served as mistress of ceremonies. Reese said that the volunteers had donated a total of 96,713 hours to county programs last year. Volunteers also provided services such as: medical transportation, friendly visiting, Meals on Wheels delivery, support of chambers of commerce, thrift shops, hospitals, nursing homes, libraries and museums, as well as serving at schools, day-care centers, knitting and more.
Steve Farnham, Aroostook Agency on Aging executive director, also made comments about the significant contributions each volunteer makes to people, programs and agencies of Aroostook County.
Lorie Ireland from Senator Susan Collin’s office and Rachael Smith from Congressman Mike Michaud’s office read congratulatory remarks.
Mark King and Barrett Potter, representing Kathadin Trust Company, a major event sponsor, thanked the volunteers for helping in their southern Aroostook communities.
RSVP advisory council members Penny Kern, chairperson and Dottie Sines from Presque Isle, Don and Charlotte Marley from Smyrna, Mim Nichols from Houlton and Terry Dwyer from Island Falls assisted with the event. The meal was prepared and served by Dottie Sines. Dozens of businesses and organizations throughout the area provided support for the day.
In addition to recognizing years served awards, 13 volunteers were applauded for serving over 500 hours during 2008, four volunteers received the president’s volunteer service award for serving over 4,000 lifetime hours.
In his 2002 State of the Union address, former President George W. Bush issued a challenge to all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities, and nation through service. He called on each person to dedicate at least 4,000 hours or two years to service over the course of their lives. He created the President’s Council on service and civic participation to help all Americans answer his call to service and help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility.