The Aroostook Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Aroostook Agency on Aging held their 38th annual volunteer recognition luncheon on Thursday, May 9 at the Smoki Hauler Snowmobile Club in Oakfield. Volunteers were treated to a “Breakfast for Champions.”
RSVP Director Judy Anderson thanked the volunteers of the southern Aroostook region for their valuable service, including 64,291 hours of volunteering in Aroostook County in 2012. Stating that according to a recent report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service, senior volunteering is at a 10-year high, with one in three of all volunteers in the country age 55 and older.
Elizabeth Childers of Houlton was recognized for 25 years of service. Ethel Antworth, Elaine Barrett and Edith Dwyer were all recognized for 15 years of dedicated service, each receiving an embroidered RSVP tote bag. Donna Grass and Ursula Levesque were honored for 10 years of volunteering.
Wannetta Townsend received the Presidential Lifetime Hours Award, with a certificate, pin and letter of congratulations from President Barack Obama.
Volunteers being honored for 500 hours of service included Jane Hughes, Berniece Campbell and Gina Clark.
RSVP is one of the longest running volunteer programs in the country. Volunteers age 55 years and older volunteer at a wide variety of places, making a difference in the lives of children, veterans, elderly, disaster survivors, and their communities. Program administrators match volunteer interests with community needs and are always looking for volunteers. Persons interested in volunteering should contact Anderson at the Aroostook RSVP office at 764-3396 or 1-800- 439-1789.
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| HONORED — Wannetta Townsend was the recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award. | VOLUNTEER — Jane Hughes was one of three RSVP volunteers to give 500 hours of service to the program. Absent for the photo were Gina Clark and Berniece Campbell. |
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| DECADE MARK — Donna Grass and Ursula Levesque were recognized for 10 years of volunteer service to the RSVP in southern Aroostook County. | RECOGNIZED — Ethel Antworth, Elaine Barrett and Edith Dwyer were recognized for 15 years of volunteering with RSVP in southern Aroostook County. |
