As of January 1, 2009, Boone County Hospital (BCH) is the new sponsor of RSVP of Boone and Greene Counties. RSVP was previously sponsored by Good Connections, a community-based non-profit program in Boone. But, when Good Connections closed their doors in 2008, it left RSVP without a sponsor. A community forum was held to discuss the sponsorship opportunity. Joe Smith, BCH CEO, and Sara Behn, BCH Foundation Director, felt like RSVP was a good fit for the hospital for several reasons. “The hospital is a natural community “glue” that bonds local programs and keeps them thriving,” says Sara Behn, RSVP oversight coordinator. “We like to work with programs that are striving to provide healthy initiatives. RSVP volunteers keep healthy physically and mentally by giving back to the community.” She adds, “The BCH Foundation is also a natural fit for the program because of its involvement with grants and community programming.”
RSVP is a group of adults age 55 and older who have discovered the joy of making a difference in their community by volunteering. By matching the skills and experience of a volunteer with the needs of the community, they can make the community a better place to work and live.
RSVP is an opportunity to make a difference both locally and nationally. More than 750 RSVP projects are sponsored by local non-profit agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. While RSVP is a national program, it is important that the needs of the local community are addressed.
Under RSVP of Boone County is the Adult Caregiver Respite Program. Respite volunteers can make a difference in the life of a caregiver and their loved one with: rewarding moments of service for two to four hours a week, neighborly outreach, and special relationships and friendships.
For more information or to become a RSVP volunteer, contact the program director Michele Hull at 433-7836 or e-mail her at micheleh@co.boone.ia.us |