Senior Volunteers lead with experience, work

BREWER – The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program hosted its sixth annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Oct. 22 at Jeff’s Catering Banquet and Convention Center in Brewer.

The theme was “RSVP Volunteers: a Natural Treasure.” RSVP members exemplify seniors actively involved in responding to community needs.

Each year RSVP celebrates the accomplishments and dedication of their volunteers. Volunteers who have served 25, 20, 15, 10 and five years received Years of Service Awards. Special presentations were made to Clara Swan, Ruth Dougherty and Emile Amnotte for their 25 years of volunteer service as RSVP members.

Guest speaker at the event was Anne Schink of Project INVEST with the Maine Commission on Community Service. Clyde Folsom served as master of ceremonies. The all-volunteer group, Dot and the Has-Beens of Millinocket, and Clayton Rogers of Brewer provided entertainment.

Approximately 300 volunteers, volunteer site supervisors and dignitaries were in attendance.

The event would not have been possible, organizers said, without the support and financial sponsorship of many local companies and organizations, including Merrill Bank, Eastern Area Agency on Aging, AARP, Bangor Savings Bank, Charlotte White Center, and the Bangor Letter Shop and Color Copy Center.

RSVP is sponsored by the University of Maine Center on Aging in Bangor. The program serves Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Washington counties.

Approximately 500 RSVP volunteers age 55 and older provide volunteer services to various nonprofit and government agencies. The average age of volunteers is 75, and in 2007 volunteers performed more than 85,000 hours of service to their communities. RSVP is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Maine State Office of Elder Services, United Way of Eastern Maine and other local funders.