RSVP - Senior Volunteers - United Way of Bay County

RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program)

RSVP is a volunteer program sponsored by United Way of Bay County and a State of Michigan grant. It is a resource for seniors 55 years of age and older

Seniors interested in volunteering need to do only one simple thing: call us! Tell us your interest, talents and time available. After carefully listening to your description, the RSVP will match your interest with a non-profit agency that has a need. There is no limit to the opportunities available. Some volunteers choose to work on special projects, while others prefer long term assignments.

RSVP volunteers enjoy benefits such as supplemental auto, life, liability and health insurance. RSVP reimburses volunteers for mileage to your volunteer site and back home. Special recognition is given to volunteers at events throughout the year. For more information contact Cathy McFarland (e-mail), or call 893.6060.

What's Happening Highlights

RSVP volunteers contributed approximately 2,948.5 hours for the second quarter (April, May and June) in 2008. According to the Independent Sector this is the equivalents of $57,525. RSVP Volunteers donate their time and talent to over 40 different agencies, helping them with office work, visiting with seniors in area nursing homes, delivering meals to home bound seniors, knitting, quilting, baking and much more.

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon:
On April 23, over 120 local volunteers gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel to acknowledge all of the volunteer efforts put forth in 2008. An amazing 1,334 community members gave an outstanding 13,906 hours of their time to our community through United Way of Bay County.

The RSVP Diamond Gem winners for 2008 were Herb Schmidt, Don Carlyon, and Myrtle Rosecrans. The RSVP volunteer of the Year award was given to Joy Thompson. Joy has been an RSVP member for 7 years, she has volunteered with over 20 different agencies and events making up nearly 1,000 hours.

In addition, awards were given out to the Family Volunteer of the year, to the Seiver Family and Corporate Volunteer of the year, to Chemical Bank.

Congratulations to all and thank you for your dedication and commitment!

Creative Quilters:
The RSVP Creative Quilters gather every Monday afternoon at Riverside Senior Center to quilt infant and toddler blankets for area non-profit agencies. This summer these talented ladies have made over 50 blankets, 25 of which were donated to Heartland Hospice for their children's grief camp. The rest have been delivered to The American Red Cross for children facing emergency situations.

Knit Wits:
The RSVP Knit Wits gather every Tuesday morning at Riverside Senior Center to knit and crochet items for children and seniors. So far this year the ladies have made over 420 items such as hats, scarves, booties and blankets to be donated to Bay Regional Medical Center and other non-profit agencies.

Community Garden Underway:
Planning is currently underway for the 2008 RSVP Community Garden. If you are interested in gardening and would like to help out this year please contact Cathy. All of the harvested vegetables are donated to area shelters and food pantries through Hidden Harvest. Last year more than 4,000 pounds of fresh vegetables were donated.

Community Projects:
RSVP has initiated a number of community projects. If one is of interest to you call Cathy McFarland at 893.6060.

Phone Pals:
A volunteer calls a person who is shut-in to chat for a few minutes several times a month, or as often as they choose.