We started planning our MLK Jr. Day Project in December of 2009 with volunteers posting flyers and telling everyone they knew to get involved. The Giles RSVP Newsletter for January highlighted the project and encouraged our members to get involved. Emails were sent all over the county, press releases were sent to the local paper and psa announcements were sent to the local radio station. If you haven't heard we will be holding a Soup and Cracker Drive for local Giles senior citizens who are unable to leave their homes. With the help of the New River Valley Agency on Aging we plan to provide these individuals with a nutritional meal. The New River Valley Agency on Aging has already identified senior citizens in Giles with their “Meals on Wheels” and “Nutrition” programs. Already we have started receiving donation and phone calls pledging to help.
The details are on January 18, members of our Giles RSVP Advisory Council will receive donations of canned soup and one pound boxes of crackers at the Pearisburg Community Center on Wenonah Avenue classroom #2. Enter the door on the ball field side of the Center. To help with this project we ask that you ask five of your friends, family and church members to help us. If only 25 volunteers collected 4 cans of soup and 2 boxes of crackers each, we could provide 100 elderly with a nutritious meal to get them through the coldest part of the year.
The donations need to be taken directly to:
Pearisburg Community Center,
Wenonah Ave. Pearisburg, VA .
January 18th from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. in the evening.
Thank you for your continued support in helping our community.
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
December and November - Volunteer and Program Highlights
By Proclamation, November 2009 was declared Giles Retired Senior Volunteer Program Month by the Giles County Board of Supervisors, recognizing the GRSVP volunteers serve with dedication, commitment and passion. Assisting many individuals, non-profit organizations, faith based organizations and their community.
Giles RSVP Annual volunteer appreciation banquet was held press release with photos and article ½ page. Carilion Health Education Nurse spoke about the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination and the new H1N1 virus and vaccination. Captain Joe Shanks with the Giles Sheriffs Office was also present and spoke about senior fraud and how to prevent scams and crime by participating with Giles TRIAD/SALT.
We had one new volunteer to begin her volunteer assignment at the Giles Free Clinic.
In December volunteers assisted New River Community Action Giles Area Office with moving boxes and truckloads of donated canned food from a local elementary school. The school children had held a food drive in December to help families who needed food boxes. Volunteers after moving the food sorted and organized it for distribution. Volunteer's also helped with efforts to serve less fortunate at Christmas at various volunteer partners of Giles RSVP.
Economic challenges in our community are growing with the need for food and energy bills for those who have been unemployed in 2009.
Giles RSVP Annual volunteer appreciation banquet was held press release with photos and article ½ page. Carilion Health Education Nurse spoke about the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination and the new H1N1 virus and vaccination. Captain Joe Shanks with the Giles Sheriffs Office was also present and spoke about senior fraud and how to prevent scams and crime by participating with Giles TRIAD/SALT.
We had one new volunteer to begin her volunteer assignment at the Giles Free Clinic.
In December volunteers assisted New River Community Action Giles Area Office with moving boxes and truckloads of donated canned food from a local elementary school. The school children had held a food drive in December to help families who needed food boxes. Volunteers after moving the food sorted and organized it for distribution. Volunteer's also helped with efforts to serve less fortunate at Christmas at various volunteer partners of Giles RSVP.
Economic challenges in our community are growing with the need for food and energy bills for those who have been unemployed in 2009.
October 2009 - volunteer highlights
The reality store workshop for Narrows and Giles high schools was conducted this month. An estimated 6 RSVP volunteers participated in helping to teach 215 young adults the economic responsibility of being an independent adult. Volunteers gave their entire day to stand and talk to young people about life decisions.
We had 1 volunteer who is a baby boomer, began serving at the Giles Head Start Centers as a parent support group leader. This volunteer is a retired clinical counselor. Providing parenting skills and support to low income parents of head start children. So far 4 parents are participating. It is a real challenge to find volunteers who wish to work with children and parents. Our program is very fortunate!
RSVP volunteers assisted with the TRIAD senior fun day with the Giles Sheriffs Office in October. Volunteers helped other elderly seniors fix plates of food, handing them information about senior safety and prevention and assisting them in games. 22 Giles Seniors attended.
One baby boomer volunteered called other volunteers and coordinated one work day each week at the Rich Creek Public Library. Labeling 2075 books, numbering, gluing card holders into each book.
We had 1 volunteer who is a baby boomer, began serving at the Giles Head Start Centers as a parent support group leader. This volunteer is a retired clinical counselor. Providing parenting skills and support to low income parents of head start children. So far 4 parents are participating. It is a real challenge to find volunteers who wish to work with children and parents. Our program is very fortunate!
RSVP volunteers assisted with the TRIAD senior fun day with the Giles Sheriffs Office in October. Volunteers helped other elderly seniors fix plates of food, handing them information about senior safety and prevention and assisting them in games. 22 Giles Seniors attended.
One baby boomer volunteered called other volunteers and coordinated one work day each week at the Rich Creek Public Library. Labeling 2075 books, numbering, gluing card holders into each book.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
RSVP Volunteers go to the Western Regional TRIAD Conference
On September 15th the Giles RSVP volunteers attended the Western Regional TRIAD Conference on Crime Prevention for Senior Citizens. Triad is a three pronged approach between law enforcement, senior citizens, and service providers to address crime prevention for seniors. The goal of TRIAD is to reduce the fear of crime and victimization among older Americans, increase awareness of scams and frauds targeting older citizens, strengthen communication between the law enforcement and senior communities, and educate older Americans on local and state resources that are available in their community. Today, Virginia has a total of 226 cities, counties, and towns with signed TRIAD agreements. Virginia TRIAD has also been recognized by the National Association of TRIADs, Inc. as having the highest number of active local groups nationwide and is the only state in the nation with a statewide coordinated office a the Executive Level of government.
Pictured Left to Right: Carol Adkins, Martha Sadler, Dan Level, Ann Lawson, and Pat Dennis
Left to Right: Captain Joe Shanks with the Giles Sheriffs Office, Pat Dennis, Martha Sadler, Ann Lawson, Carol Adkins.
This year the Western Regional TRIAD conference was held during the Roanoke Boomer and Senior Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center. Carol Adkins, Pat Dennis, Ann Lawson, Dan Level, and Martha Sadler attended. These individuals are all members of Giles RSVP and not currently active with TRIAD but wanted to learn more about the program and participate in the event. Giles TRIAD/SALT meets monthly on the third Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Giles Senior Center unless a special TRIAD activity is planned.
Pictured Left to Right: Carol Adkins, Martha Sadler, Dan Level, Ann Lawson, and Pat Dennis
This year the Western Regional TRIAD conference was held during the Roanoke Boomer and Senior Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center. Carol Adkins, Pat Dennis, Ann Lawson, Dan Level, and Martha Sadler attended. These individuals are all members of Giles RSVP and not currently active with TRIAD but wanted to learn more about the program and participate in the event. Giles TRIAD/SALT meets monthly on the third Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Giles Senior Center unless a special TRIAD activity is planned.
In the spirit of patriotism and remembrance Giles RSVP members serve their community on September 11th!
In honor of the men, women and children and all rescue service personnel and volunteers that lost their lives on September 11th 8 years ago the volunteers of the Giles Retired Senior Volunteer Program came together to hold a special day of service and remembrance project at the Giles Christian Mission.
Fourteen volunteer members of Giles RSVP provided a total of over 42 hours sorting, folding, organizing shoes, painting walls, staining racks, and changing over the inventory from summer to fall and winter. Those that participated were Barbara Bailey, Janice Cochran, Charlotte Hazelwood, Ann Lawson, Pat Laughlin, Sue Meredith, Joan Peek, JR Peek, Karen Pluth, Charlotte
Sartin, Darlene Stafford, Lois Tabor, Marcia Zanetich and Peter Zanetich.
Volunteers enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by the Mission to show their appreciation of this fabulous team effort! The day passed quickly with laughter and team work and the spirit of patriotism. We thank these and other members of Giles RSVP who served at various work sites during the day in helping your community and showing your patriotic spirit and observance.
Fourteen volunteer members of Giles RSVP provided a total of over 42 hours sorting, folding, organizing shoes, painting walls, staining racks, and changing over the inventory from summer to fall and winter. Those that participated were Barbara Bailey, Janice Cochran, Charlotte Hazelwood, Ann Lawson, Pat Laughlin, Sue Meredith, Joan Peek, JR Peek, Karen Pluth, Charlotte
Sartin, Darlene Stafford, Lois Tabor, Marcia Zanetich and Peter Zanetich.The Giles County Christian Mission in 2008 provided 479 families with 7,982 items and 106 family food boxes all given at no charge. From January to June of 2009 they assisted 1998 clients with free clothing, food boxes and items to help with basic needs. In addition they provided 15 families, a total of 76 people, 53 of those were children with healthy lunches during the month of June to help families while school was not in session.
Volunteers enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by the Mission to show their appreciation of this fabulous team effort! The day passed quickly with laughter and team work and the spirit of patriotism. We thank these and other members of Giles RSVP who served at various work sites during the day in helping your community and showing your patriotic spirit and observance.Contact Chris to become a member of Giles RSVP and enjoy helping in the Giles communities.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Back to School Book Bag and Supply Project
Our RSVP Members will be helping to organize and sort donations received by NRCA for book bags and supplies on Wednesday August 26 in the NRCA Giles Area Office.
How can you take away some of the dread, fear and possible humiliation that a child may feel if they were to go to school without a book bag or school supplies? Donate a few note books, pencils, or rulers. I was in Dollar General last week and they have book bags for $7.00. It is estimated that a book bag with basic supplies cost around $25.00. If your budget will not allow you to donate items then help spread the word about the drive; talk with your family, friends, pastor or Sunday School, co-workers or neighbors.
NRCA has a list of children who will not have what they need to start school if we can't help.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
We held a recruitment/Cultrual Heritage event on June 26th
Giles RSVP members and guests boarded the Giles County bus at the Giles Senior Center and traveled to Fairlawn, VA to the River and Company Restaurant. The group was seated on the patio that overlooked the New River for an enjoyable lunch. Volunteers discussed their volunteer work, travel and the reasons they love Virginia. After lunch they viewed from the upper level, the microbrewery that the restaurant is known for. The group returned to the bus and traveled to The Ingles Farm in Radford, VA their main destination. Upon arriving they were greeted by hosts Malcolm W
hittaker and John Jeffries dressed in period costumes. Giles RSVP was treated with a private tour of the two story log cabin and farm as well as special presentations explaining how flax was grown, harvested, milled and used to make linen. Mr. Whittaker recounted how farmers served in the militia and displayed many of the items they carried with them. As a surprise to all when it came to the explaining musket ball making one volunteer shared that she had made musket balls from lead in the 1950's as a child. Apparently her older brother had a musket gun that used the lead musket balls. Interesting facts was retold and enjoyed by all. Mr. Jeffries family owns the Ingles Farm and is a descendant of the famous settler Mary Draper Ingles. Mr. Jeffres is in the process of bringing it to full operation as it was in the 18th century. Several events are held at the Ingles farm, their web site is http://www.inglesferry.com/ for more details and dates. This was a great opportunity to reward and encourage new and existing volunteers to be involved with the Giles RSVP Program. To learn more please call Chris Blankenship at 921-2037.
hittaker and John Jeffries dressed in period costumes. Giles RSVP was treated with a private tour of the two story log cabin and farm as well as special presentations explaining how flax was grown, harvested, milled and used to make linen. Mr. Whittaker recounted how farmers served in the militia and displayed many of the items they carried with them. As a surprise to all when it came to the explaining musket ball making one volunteer shared that she had made musket balls from lead in the 1950's as a child. Apparently her older brother had a musket gun that used the lead musket balls. Interesting facts was retold and enjoyed by all. Mr. Jeffries family owns the Ingles Farm and is a descendant of the famous settler Mary Draper Ingles. Mr. Jeffres is in the process of bringing it to full operation as it was in the 18th century. Several events are held at the Ingles farm, their web site is http://www.inglesferry.com/ for more details and dates. This was a great opportunity to reward and encourage new and existing volunteers to be involved with the Giles RSVP Program. To learn more please call Chris Blankenship at 921-2037.
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