The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, located on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus, recently paid honor to this past year’s 562 active NW Minnesota volunteers! Employing a different and creative recognition strategy for the year, RSVP staff compiled a recognition newsletter, highlighting volunteer hours, awards, plus a thank you gift of a book of 10 forever stamps.
Replacing this year’s annual Recognition Banquet on the UMC Campus was a difficult decision, but one that made sense considering increasing costs and only 1/3 of RSVP volunteers able to attend. The newsletter, composed with a “postal theme”, allowed each and every volunteer to be honored. “The time and energy our volunteers donate cannot be taken lightly,” states RSVP Director Tammy Frohlich. “Recognizing volunteer achievements and thanking them is one of our greatest priorities and pleasures.” Two of the past year’s greatest achievements come from volunteers Judy Semling, Halstad (1,663 hours donated) and Elmyrna Kaupang, Winger (1,017 hours donated).
Monetarily, the 65,284 RSVP volunteer hours during the past year equates to a savings of $1,660,172 for federal, state and county entities. Moreover, impactful programming such as RSVP’s Groceries to Go, Home Delivered Meals, Handyman and Stay Active and Independent for Life senior exercise classes is keeping regional seniors healthy and living independently! Perhaps the greatest benefits, however, are for the volunteers themselves; Consistent research shows that donating time for a worthy cause keeps older adults healthier and happier.
Among the many volunteer achievements throughout the year, the following were specifically highlighted:
Zip Award (Zip stands for Zone Improvement Plan)
Alecia Hunt, TRF Food Shelf
Station Manager creating change and improvement at food shelf.
In-Transit Award (Most hours doing Home Delivered Meals) Stuart Halvorson, Roseau
Cristina Campos, EGF
Rural Delivery Award (Greatest number of hours by SAIL exercise trainer)
Lois Barth, Warroad
First Class Award (Best comment about a volunteer)
Fredryce Sundby, Warren
“I couldn’t live without her; she’s my angel!”
Mailbox Award (Handyman with most hours)
John Wahlberg, Roseau
Barcode Award (Barcodes facilitate transportation)
Red Lake County Committee on Aging
Delivery Award (Volunteers with most Grocery to Go hours)
Donna Malarkey, Crookston
Barb Erickson, Roseau
Carrier Award (Carrying good news and comfort to Hospice families and patients)
Jean Rains, Fosston
Envelope Glue Award (Helping to keep things together during transition)
Ann Marie Zizzo, TRF Food Shelf
Mint Award (Originality)
Bonnie Skanson, Fertile
Bonnie wrote and directed a play for her Reading Buddy Class in Fertile.
Bulk Mail Award (4000 lifetime hours)
Joanne Rude, Shelly
Arlette Solom, Roseau
Alta Sullerud, Fertile
Express Mail Award (Instrumental in quick planning for G2G Program and volunteer stations in Ada)
Linda Visser, Ada
| Most Volunteer Hours reported: | 1,663 | Judy Semling, Norman County |
| Most Volunteer Positions served: | 8 | Elaine Bertils, Polk County and Janet Kujava, Marshall County |
| Most years of RSVP Service | Nearly 29 | Betty Conkins, Polk County |
| RSVP Station with Most Volunteers | 69 | RiverView Health |
| RSVP Station with Wait List for Volunteers | Loaves and Fishes Food Shelf, Fosston | |
| Counties who financially support RSVP | 5 | Polk, Roseau, Kittson, Red Lake, and Norman |
RSVP continues to promote volunteerism through presentations, recruitments, and implementing their impact programs in communities with demonstrated needs; most recently, eight Groceries to Go volunteers were recruited and trained in Ada, restoring a much needed and relied upon service for area seniors. RSVP offers a variety of service opportunities with flexibility to match.
RSVP Please contact Director Tammy Frohlich (218-281-8289) tsykes@umn.edu, or Coordinator Jennifer Erdmann (218-281-8288) jkerdman@umn.edu, to join America’s largest network of volunteers.
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