Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Honors Volunteers for Giving Back During National Volunteer Week

Communities throughout North Central Iowa are stronger thanks to the time and talent shared by RSVP volunteers. RSVP of North Central Iowa is honored to recognize its members and highlight the wonderful work they do to address problems and fulfill needs in their communities during this year’s National Volunteer Week, April 10-16.  The week is a celebration of volunteers.  
RSVP volunteers provide most of their service to students in elementary and middle schools across the area by tutoring and mentoring students in reading, befriending them through the Pen Pal Program, and serving as Breakfast Buddies. Volunteers also serve as leaders for the Walking School Bus Program in Mason City, as readers for the Iowa Radio Reading Information Service for the Blind and Print Handicapped program at KCMR radio station in Mason City, as advocates for long-term care facility residents throughout the area, and with the International Friends program at North Iowa Area Community College.  
 “Volunteering is an affordable and effective solution to meeting critical needs in our communities,” says RSVP Director Molly Anderegg. “Older, active adults are Iowa’s greatest natural resource. RSVP volunteers are some of the most passionate and dedicated individuals I know and I commend them for their commitment.”
Currently, RSVP has 379 volunteers serving in Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Winnebago and Worth counties.  In area schools, 200 Reading Buddy volunteers are tutoring 483 elementary students in reading and 27 Reading Coaches are mentoring 47 middle school students.  In addition, 305 Pen Pal volunteers are exchanging letters with 345 fourth-and-fifth grade students.  Some volunteers serve in more than one role.  
“As a retired superintendent, I saw the value of RSVP volunteers first-hand.  Not only do they help children improve their reading, they also serve as a caring adult in a child’s life,” says Larry Hill, chairman of the RSVP Advisory Council.  “The impact they are having throughout North Central Iowa is remarkable and we thank them for their service.”
In addition to volunteers serving in their local communities, RSVP also honors its 16 Advisory Council members. The Council helps shape and strengthen RSVP programs throughout North Central Iowa. RSVP salutes its council members and all of its volunteers.
Local volunteers include: Buffalo Center:  Joe Angstman, Pam Angstman, Sandy Bashans, Judy Boeckholt, Connie Brooks, Lynn Greimann Hassebroek, Sharon Hippen, John Laflen, Alice LaMont, Frances Meyer, Claire Rustemier, Glenda Sapp, Roz Swanson. Joice:  Janice Anderson. Lake Mills:  Leanna Anderson, Jean Bechtel, Marilyn Cornell, Nancy Fjelstad, LaVonne Hartman, Helen Kelso, Anita Levorson, Ruth Levorson. Leland:  John Bryan, Mariann Holst. Thompson:  Beverly Aalgaard, Charissa Olson, Angie Wamsley, Vikki Fischer.