Seniors can RSVP to volunteer

Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) works with retirees and community members over the age of 55 to connect them with opportunities to volunteer around their schedules and within their skill sets.

Coordinator of RSVP John Miller has been serving with this organization for the last seven years, but RSVP has existed since 1971.

“The motivation came from a concern that seniors and retirees were losing a sense of direction in life,” Miller said.

RSVP boasts of over 200,000 volunteers age 55 and older (retired or still working) nationwide.

Jefferson County’s RSVP works with 17 nonprofit agencies in the Fairfield area.

Just over 60 seniors currently are involved with this RSVP chapter.

COVID has made a significant impact on the ways that members have been able to serve their communities the last couple of years, but Miller is ready to do more this spring and summer.

Before COVID changed the trajectory of RSVP Miller was working with the ISU Extension office to begin a program with the girl and boy scout groups and veteran speakers.

“Our focus is improving the quality of life for our seniors and community,” Miller said.

One way this value is executed by RSVP is through volunteer involvement in local schools.

Senior volunteers have taken the opportunity to serve the schools through Makers-Space which focuses on teaching children life skills such as coding, carpentry, and sewing.

Hopefully by fall RSVP volunteers will be able to get back into the schools with pen pal and reading buddy programs that connect elementary students with senior volunteers.

Another way RSVP has been serving the community is through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA).

Volunteers work with a full-time tax professional staff member to help lower income families prepare their taxes.

Seniors volunteering with VITA also have the opportunity to receive tax preparation training if they did not already have experience.

Even throughout COVID hurdles the VITA volunteers were able to assist in tax preparation with a little creative thinking.

“People would bring their tax information to me and the volunteers would pick them up, work on them, and then finalize them with the clients,” Miller said.

Senior volunteers with RSVP are welcome to volunteer with any of the nonprofit agencies that work with the program.

While their service improves the community, it also serves the seniors as well.

Seniors can volunteer in capacities as ushers at the Entertainment Center and enjoy the programming.

For the senior volunteer interested in the big screen, Fairfield Productions can always use their assistance on their series of Fairfield documentaries.

As the weather turns nicer be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Miller at local events like farmers markets recruiting new volunteers.

If you or someone you know would like more information on RSVP please reach out to John Miller at j.miller@wapellocouw.org

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com