RSVP

RSVP MATCHES OLDER ADULTS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

By Dawn Burleigh Courtesy photos

MMillions of people across the globe volunteer every day. Without the selfless efforts of volunteers, many charities would be forced to cease operations. In fact, a 2017 study from the charitable community membership organization Independent Sector estimated that the labor provided by volunteers is worth roughly $193 billion per year in the United

States alone.

But volunteering can be as beneficial for volunteers as it can for the organizations they help.

Volunteering in the community is not just for the younger generation. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) links the skills of volunteers with the identified needs of the community.

Since 1971, RSVP, one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation for people 55 and over, has matched older adults who are willing to help with local organizations on the front lines of meeting community needs. RSVP projects link the skills of the volunteers with the identified needs of the community. RSVP volunteers do not receive any monetary incentive or stipend, but the RSVP project may reimburse volunteers for certain out-of-pocket costs associated with their service activities. In addition, RSVP volunteers receive accident, personal liability, and excess automobile liability insurance as well as community recognition, according to it’s official website.

Water Tree Orange

Golden Triangle RSVP is a volunteer match maker service that matches people 55 and older with diverse non-profit agencies in the Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange County region.

Approximately 500 volunteers participate annually and their 80,000 hours a year equates to over $1.5 million in services rendered.

LIFE • HEALTH PROPERTY • CASUALTY GROUP INSURANCE

1212 Green Ave. Orange, Texas 77630

409-883-3747

In Orange County, RSVP volunteers work at Orange Christian Services, Orange Community Action Association, United Christian Care Center, Veterans Advocates of America, and Vidor ISD Community Education. The Golden Triangle RSVP is funded by a 3-year federal grant. RSVP recently received another grant for April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2023. According to a 2017 study from Independent Sector, a United States-based national membership organization that brings together the charitable community, the value of a volunteer hour is more than $24. So, for every hour volunteers are working for their favorite charities, they’re saving those charities $24. That money can then be used to help charities achieve their missions. Director of Golden Triangle RSVP Crystal Petry describes the organization as a volunteer match maker program. “We match volunteers 55 and older with a non-profit agency,” Petry said. “We are always in need of more volunteers as the need is always growing.”

Petry added the need for people to be fed, clothed or children in elementary school is constantly growing.

The criteria to join RSVP is simple. “They have to be 55 or older and live in Orange Jefferson or Hardin County,” Petry said. “No, they do not have to be retired. We have several volunteers who work full time or part time.” Penny Pearson, volunteer coordinator, is the first person a volunteer will speak with when they reach out to the organization. Pearson will email or mail an application to the person and has a list of over 50 different agencies in need of volunteers.

“About 50 percent will know where they want to volunteer,” Petry said. “Others want to volunteer but not sure where. Penny talks with them to find a good fit.”

RSVP takes care of all the paperwork and tracking the volunteer hours so volunteers just have to volunteer.

“Some do not know who to call or where to start,” Petry said.

Volunteers also select how much time and how often they volunteer so it can fit their schedule.

“We have several organizations in Orange and Orange County,” Petry said. “Volunteers are not restricted to the area if they want to volunteer

in Hardin or Jefferson county.” To volunteer, call 409-924-3382 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. RSVP will help you find the right place to volunteer as you help give back to the community. 