Aroostook RSVP honors local volunteers
“RSVP Volunteers: A Vital Piece” was the theme of the Aroostook Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration held in May. Eighty-one volunteers attended the 36th annual Aroostook RSVP Volunteer Appreciation Celebration held at the Lister-Knowlton VFW in Caribou.
Photo courtesy of Gini Garrett
HONORED FOR 20 YEARS of volunteering in the central section of Aroostook are, from left: Florence Farrell, Vaughn Brewer and Dathaline Brewer.
Photo courtesy of Gini Garrett
MARKING 15 YEARS of volunteer work in the central area of Aroostook are, from left: Margaret Kimball, Dorothy King and Jeannette St Pierre. Standing is Albert St Pierre. Not present: Rita Edstrand, Ruth Silsbee and Dolores Sperry.
Sponsored by the Aroostook Agency on Aging, RSVP supports about 500 volunteers countywide. The luncheonhonored service completed from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2010. Besides recognizing volunteers for years served awards, 28 volunteers were applauded for serving over 500 hours during 2010 and received the Maine Roll of Honor Governor’s Award.
In President George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union Address, he issued a challenge to all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities and nation through service. He called on each person to dedicate at least 4,000 hours — or two years — to service over the course of their lives. One central area volunteer met the President’s challenge and received the President’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award.
Photo courtesy of Gini Garrett
CENTRAL AREA RSVP volunteers with 10 years of service include from left: Elda Crouch and Yvonne McEachern. Standing is Robert Kilcollins. Not present: Richard Cilley, Marion Dunham, John Hede and Marilyn King.
Photo courtesy of Gini Garrett
RSVP CENTRAL AREA honorees with 5 years’ service include, from left: Shelagh Fitzgerald and Pauline Jandreau. Not present: Richard Bechtel, Joan Butler and Arline Jonsson.
Ranging in age from 55 to 94, the seniors are part of the 166 active volunteers in the central Aroostook area who donate their time to help meet critical needs in county non-profit and public programs as members of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
RSVP Program Director Eleanor Reese served as master of ceremonies. Reese said the volunteers had donated a total of 85,760 hours of service to county agencies and programs last year. Volunteers also provided such services as: medical transportation, friendly visiting, Meals on Wheels delivery, support of thrift shops, hospitals, nursing homes, animal shelters and museums, as well as serving at schools, day cares, knitting and more. Steve Farnham, Aroostook Agency on Aging executive director, also made comments about the significant contributions each volunteer makes to the people, programs and agencies of Aroostook County.
Photo courtesy of Gini Garrett
MAJOR MILESTONE — Over 4,000 lifetime hours of volunteering in the central region were achieved recently by two local citizens, with each receiving an award. Pictured from left are: Margaret Kimball, Aroostook RSVP Caribou area coordinator, and Shirley Burson.
Phil Bosse, from Sen. Susan Collins’ office, and Barbara Hayslett, from Cong. Mike Michaud’s office, read congratulatory remarks. Craig Staples and Diane Green, representing Kathadin Trust Company, a major event sponsor, thanked the volunteers for helping in their central Aroostook communities. First Wind Energy also provided additional sponsorship for the event.
Photo courtesy of Gini Garrett
MARKING 500 HOURS of volunteering in the central area of Aroostook County are, in front, from left: Jo Ann Johnson, Luella White, Avis Woods and Yvonne McEachern. Second row: Arlene Wiggins, Willetta Gaston, Gloria Hebert, Guelda Michaud, Minnie Butler, Winnie Theriault and Brenda Curry. Third row: Patsy Delong, Louise Saucier, Nancy Dow, Mary Jane Sperry, Carolyn Turner and Gail Young. Not present: Dorothy Anderson, Richard Cilley, Mayland Hartsgrove, Leona Hess, Arline Jonsson, Gladys McEachern, Norma Milton, Anne Price, Betty Rinehart, Joanne Rockwell and Lucy Shrout.
RSVP coordinators who helped plan the event included: Caribou area, Margaret Kimball; Presque Isle area, Rebecca Legassie; southern area, Linda Bartlett; northern area, Connie Michaud; and program assistant from the Presque Isle area, Gini Garrett. RSVP Advisory Council member Betty Rinehart and Aroostook Agency on Aging Board President Rev. Ken Phelps also assisted with the event. The meal was prepared and served by Bud Brewer and community volunteers. Noyes Flower and Plant Shoppe and Phil’s Florist and Greenhouse provided complimentary floral arrangements for the occasion. Dozens of businesses and organizations throughout the area also provided support for the day.
