“Getting Things Done” was the theme of the 2008 RSVP Appreciation Banquet on Thursday November 13, 2008. RSVP volunteer members who served 50 hours or more during the past year, and supervisor’s at worksite’s receiving RSVP hours, were invited to attend the Annual RSVP Appreciation Banquet held at Friends and Family Restaurant. Mr. and Mrs. Bud and Nancy Dowdy entertained everyone with beautiful music before, and during the meal. Eight beautiful fall wreaths were given away to members as door prizes as was a commemorative ornament from the Giles Chamber of Commerce, a Pearisburg Bicentennial limited edition t-shirt, two units from SHARE at $24.00 each, 4 SHARE commemorative cookbooks, $25 gift certificate from Wal-Mart were all given out to members. Each volunteer received a pocket day planner with the motto “RSVP, Getting Things Done” printed on the front, and a Giles RSVP appreciation certificate.
Special guest entertainers the Wilderness Road Chorus, Sweet Adelines’ provided lively songs in 4 part harmony. They addressed how important community service is and how RSVP volunteers are providing services that are needed in helping address the needs of Giles County. They commended the volunteers for their hard work and dedication to others.
Also receiving recognition was RSVP members Lou Gurney and Dan Level, both served outstanding hours in 2008. Mr. Lou served with the Giles Historical Society, Holy Family Catholic Church, coordinating group travel and volunteer activities at three nursing homes, adult day care, and the SHARE Warehouse as well as planning and leading other volunteers in teaching craft classes to residents of nursing homes, the adult day care and the Giles Senior Center. Mr. Level served hours mobilizing other volunteers in addition to serving with AARP as Chapter President 445 Giles and the VA Delegate to AARP National Convention, Giles Chamber of Commerce –Board Secretary, American Legion-Oratorical Scholarship Program, coordinating blood drives and volunteer activities for The American Red Cross at Pearisburg and Narrows locations, Giles Historical Society, NRV Agency on Aging Advisory Board, Board Member of the Giles County Housing and Development, Pearisburg High School Alumni Assoc. Committee Chair, and the Pearisburg Olde Towne Association President.
Karen Pluth another valued RSVP member was recognized for the many hours she dedicated several months prior to the Giles RSVP Boomer and Senior Lifestyle Expo in making contact with vendors and contributors. The efforts and hard work she contributed the week before preparing for the event and her welcoming smile at the registration table throughout and the extended hours after the Expo.
Members of the Giles RSVP Advisory Council were recognized for their hard work this past year and introduced. Sally Grogan, Giles RSVP Advisory President, Panzie Whittaker, Giles RSVP Advisory Vice President. Members: Irene Hodge, Caroleen Clowers, Les Sears, Helen Gillespie, Dianne Rader, and Pete Zanitich. Each council member received a special gift thanking them for their dedication to the Council and the Giles RSVP Program. The Giles RSVP Advisory Council meets every other month to discuss needs in the community that the RSVP Program can assist with. They come together to discuss how RSVP in Giles can make an impact to increase awareness and provide assistance where needed. Some of the projects they spearheaded in 2008 – Martin Luther King Jr. day project to reflect on character building past and future with Narrows Elementary School, the 2008 Child and Adult Coat drive for the Giles Christian Mission, Cultural Heritage – participation in the Pearisburg Bicentennial Parade, the Back to School book bag and supply drive and the annual Giles RSVP Boomer and Senior Lifestyle Expo.
The Giles RSVP Program is a Program of the National Corporation of Community Service and Senior Corp. We encourage individuals 55 and better to become involved in community service for their community. Many individuals who are 55 and better are already providing volunteer hours to their community. To continue the success of the RSVP program we need these individuals as new members who are actively volunteering. By joining as a member you will be helping other seniors who may not be as active have the opportunity to participate in special events, participate with a volunteer group, give encouragement for someone who may need to stay active, and provide secondary volunteer insurance benefits for all RSVP members. The RSVP Program provides events and assistance to senior citizens and other non-profit organizations.
Some of the events sponsored by the Giles RSVP Program are the community disaster awareness presentations, the Giles Senior Lifestyle Expo, senior environmental field trips, health and other senior special interest presentations. An upcoming event that the Giles RSVP will hold will be the winter coat drive this coming January. We ask that if you have good condition, clean winter coats in adult and children’s sizes please take them in January, to the Giles Christian Mission in Pearisburg and tell them that they are for the RSVP Coat drive. This helps us serve those who are in need in Giles County. If you are 55 and better and would like to become a member please contact Chris Blankenship at 921-2037 or
grsvp@nrcaa.org we are “Getting Things Done” in Giles County.
munity Action food site. They helped to organize and put together Thanksgiving food boxes for 30 local Giles County families who can use extra help during this economic challenged season. To qualify for assistance a family or individual must meet New River Community Actions income guidelines. To find out more about New River Community Action please follow this web address www.swva.net/nrca. 
munity Action food site. They helped to organize and put together Thanksgiving food boxes for 30 local Giles County families who can use extra help during this economic challenged season. To qualify for assistance a family or individual must meet New River Community Actions income guidelines. To find out more about New River Community Action please follow this web address www.swva.net/nrca. 
