Over 100 volunteers, ranging in age from 55 to 93, were honored at the 34th annual Aroostook RSVP Volunteer Appreciation Celebration held at the Lister-Knowlton VFW Post in Caribou.
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Volunteering 500-plus hours to the programs of the Aroostook Agency on Aging were, from left: seated: Gladys McEachern and Leona Hess, both of Bridgewater, and Minnie Butler of Fort Fairfield. Middle: Avis Woods, Gloria Hebert, Willetta Gaston and Rosanna Michaud, all of Caribou, Joanne Rockwell of Bridgewater and Arlene Wiggins of Mars Hill. Back row: Nancy Dow of Presque Isle, Joseph Gaston of Caribou, Luella White of Presque Isle and Gail Young of Caribou. Not present were Dorothy Anderson of Bethlehem, Pa., Richard N. Cilley of Caribou, Robert A Craig II and Rosalie D. Craig, both of Mars Hill, Linda Cyr of Limestone, Edna Graves of Washburn, Arline Jonsson of Presque Isle and Guelda Michaud of Caribou.
The theme “RSVP Bridging Generations” set the tone for the day. The seniors are part of the 177 volunteers in the Central Aroostook area who donate their time to help County non profit and public programs as members of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. Sponsored by the Aroostook Agency on Aging, RSVP supports 510 volunteers county-wide. The luncheon honored service completed from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2008.
Aroostook RSVP Director Eleanor Reese, serving as master of ceremonies, said the volunteers had donated a total of 96,713 hours to county agencies and programs last year. 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. Volunteers provided such services as: medical transportation, friendly visiting, Meals on Wheels delivery, support of chambers of commerce, thrift shops, food banks, hospitals, nursing homes, libraries and museums as well as serving at schools, day cares, making minor home repairs, knitting and more.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins offered congratulatory remarks in a letter read by state office representative Therese Elish. Also in attendance was Barbara Hayslett who gave congratulatory remarks on behalf of Congressman Michael Michaud. Diane Green and Craig Staples, representing Kathadin Trust Company, a major event sponsor, thanked the volunteers for helping in their central Aroostook communities. Also in attendance were numerous representatives of the agencies and programs where RSVP volunteers serve.
RSVP staff members Rebecca Legassie, Presque Isle area coordinator; Margaret Kimball, Caribou area coordinator; Connie Michaud, northern area coordinator and program assistant; and southern area coordinator Gini Garrett planned the event. RSVP Advisory Council members Dottie Sines from the Aroostook Agency on Aging in Presque Isle, Patrica Cyr from Van Buren, Penny Kern from Presque Isle, and Betty Rinehart from Caribou assisted with the event.
A delicious meal was prepared and served by Dottie Sines and Noyes Flowers and Plant Shoppe and Phil's Florist provided complimentary floral arrangements for the occasion. Dozens of businesses and organizations throughout the area provided support for the day.
Besides recognizing years served awards, 23 volunteers were applauded for serving over 500 hours during 2008. This year, four volunteers received the President’s Volunteer Service award for serving over 4,000 lifetime hours. In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush 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. He created the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation to help all Americans answer his call to service and help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility.
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Winnie Theriault of Fort Fairfield, center, was honored for giving 20 years’ of service to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Making the presentation: Margaret Kimball, Caribou area coordinator; and Steve Farnham, Aroostook Agency on Aging executive director.
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Recognized by the Aroostook Agency on Aging for serving the Retired Senior Volunteer Program for 15 years was Shirley Burson of Limestone. Not present were Erwin Bengtson of New Sweden, Alice Cormier of Presque Isle, Muriel Johnson Fayetteville, N.C. and L. Ward Silsbee of Caribou.
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Serving with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program for 10 years are, from left, seated: Leona Hess of Bridgewater and Henry Akeley of Presque Isle. Standing: Patricia Cyr of Van Buren, Gloria Hebert of Caribou, Gladys H. Keegan of Fort Fairfield and Arlene Wiggins of Mars Hill. Not present were Geneva Bouthot of Caribou, Gerald E. Dunham of Garfield Plantation, Brenda Ketch of Madawaska Lake and Linda Orcutt of Garfield Plantation.
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Honored for giving five years’ of service to the Retired Senior Volunteer Service were, from left, seated: Marie Ashby of Fort Fairfield and Judy Hilton of Presque Isle. Standing: Carl Olson of Caribou. Not present were Judy Hafford of Ashland, Leonard and Phyllis Hutchins of West Chapman, Betty J. Wright of Caribou and Richard Wilcox of Mapleton.
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Serving over 4,000 lifetime hours to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program were, from left, Avis Woods of Caribou and Gladys McEachern of Bridgewater. Making the award presentation was Steve Farnham, executive director of the Aroostook Agency on Aging. Not present for the recognition were Richard N. Cilley of Cariobu and Arline Jonsson of Presque Isle.
