Volume 1, Issue 35 JANUARY 26, 2024
YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE
RSVP and VITA Programs seek volunteers By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
PERMIT NO 62
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE
RESIDENTIAL POSTAL CUSTOMER PAID ECRWSS BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307
Every community is made up of the people, businesses, schools and organizations that live and work there. Another vital part of every community are the people who volunteer their time and talents. Whether coaching, mentoring, teaching or doing hands-on work, community volunteers help fill needs in every community. And one of the goals of the Oceana Echo is to connect our readers with their community, in hopes that together we can make Oceana County a better place for all of us. The AmeriCorps Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), just one of many organizations in Oceana County, is sponsored and hosted by the United Way of the Lakeshore (UWL). “Established over 40 years ago, RSVP is a federally supported program connecting individuals who are at 55 and older to volunteer opportunities that impact specific needs and goals in their local communities,” says the UWL website. The hope is that volunteers in every community can serve their neighbors by using the skills they have developed over a lifetime. Everyone has different interests and strengths that can be used long after their working career that can help move the community forward in a variety of ways. The RSVP is looking to recruit more Oceana County volunteers that can become involved in several worthwhile “stations” in the community and, in the process, help support their fellow residents. Current Oceana County “stations” include the Goodwill VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program, the Oceana County Council on Aging, United Way of the Lakeshore (mobile food pantry), American Red Cross, Department of Health and Human Services, Harbor Hospice and Mediation Restorative Services. According to RSVP Coordinator Shavaun Savage, “VITA and Harbor Hospice are the two organizations with the greatest
need right now.” Oceana County RSVP volunteer Paul Inglis of Shelby volunteers with the Muskegon, Oceana and Mason Counties Mediation Restorative Services Board, while his wife Cheri volunteers for Love INC. “I would strongly encourage folks who are 55-plus, with time available and wanting to impact their community, to look for an opportunity to volunteer with the program.” “Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity for all ages to meet people, gain skills and learn more about the communities they live in. And for seniors, especially, it’s an opportunity for seniors to use the skills they have developed over a lifetime to help others. It’s a proven fact that there are health benefits of being engaged mentally and physically,” said Laura Carpenter, a current RSVP volunteer with Muskegon County. One way volunteers have the chance to make a huge difference in Oceana County is by volunteering in the Goodwill Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program is a free tax preparation service available to anyone making less than $66,000. “Our greatest need right now is tax preparers, however, tax preparer training for this year is complete. If people would like to check out the program to see how everything works and to find out if it might be a fit for them, they are welcome to come and observe the program this year. They could go through some of the material that we use for training, and they would be connected with an experienced volunteer to learn what the process entails. They may find it is right for them for next year, ” said Amanda Kitchka of Goodwill Industries of West Michigan. Individuals from the county, whose income is $66,000 or below and are looking for the only free tax service in the county, may sign up for one-hour appointments from Feb. 5 through April 15, Mondays through Thursdays, from 9:30
Ray and Sandy Buhl of Walkerville stand with Michigan Club of South Alabama President Deb Singer. The Buhls donated the Michigan flag picutred behind them that once belonged to Sandy’s parents, Frank and Grace Walsama. • Jerry Mattson/Echo
The Michigan Club of South Alabama By Jerry Mattson
The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
The Michigan Club of South Alabama was organized in 1995. The purpose of the club is to provide activities, communication and fellowship for current and former residents of the State of Michigan. Each member pays an annual fee of $5. Five meetings take place each year, with two in both January and February and one in March. Meetings are at the Island Church in Orange Beach. Doors open at 9 a.m. with free coffee, water and donuts. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. and is over by noon. In the first hour of activity, leaders sit at tables, signing members up for this year’s 18 golf outings, ladies golf, casino trips to Biloxi, Miss. and selling club merchandise. Others are saying hello to someone from a town near them, based on the location shown on their ID tag. Before the main meeting began on January 4, a rope was stretched between two supports at the rear of the stage and a large Michigan flag was displayed. The president of the club, Deb Singer, announced that this donated flag had once flown over the Muskegon Courthouse. The donor was asked to stand and was thanked with applause. She was Sandy Buhl of Walkerville. She and her husband, Ray, have been members for five years. Last year, she asked if the club would like a Michigan flag they had at home, and the answer was yes. The flag was given to Sandy’s parents, Frank and Grace Walsama, for their continued on page 3 25th wedding anniversary in 1966. Their friend, Jim Wimppe, who worked in security at the courthouse and knew that Frank would like the flag, made it a present for them. Frank died in 1997, and the flag had remained in a box at the Buhl home until it was transported south for this presentation. Each meeting in the auditorium begins with the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag and a prayer. Then, entertainment follows. This day, it was Lisa Christain, playing guitar and singing. Among her seven selections were “Here Comes the Sun,” “Wade in the Water” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Many of the 264 people in attendance sang along. She has pleased Michiganders here in previous years. Upon entering the room, most people buy door prize tickets for $1 each, getting a chance to win one or more of the 60 to 70 prizes donated by local businesses. If your number is called, you are asked to stand and announce what city or town you are from, and a ‘runner’ delivers the prize. If you are from the U.P., shouts of “Yoop, Yoop” will greet you. The profits help support club activities and many local charities. In 2023, local civic organizations shared a total of $5,800. One of the prize winners at the Jan. 18 meeting was Brad Geeting of Fremont, attending with his friend Shirley Cadaret from Gowen. He has been a member of the Michigan Club since 2008. Abe VanDuinen and Samantha Schaefer were At the second meeting of this year, it was announced that membership crowned Pentwater Homecoming King and Queen had reached 342 people. For more information on this group, visit michibetween the JV boys and varsity boys basketball ganclubalabama.com. The 2024 summer picnic is planned to take place in games Friday, Jan. 19. • Contributed Photo Harrison, Mich., with a date to be announced soon.
RSVP and VITA
Falcon royalty