Volunteers of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Economic Opportunity Authority were honored March 26 for contributing more than 41,000 hours of volunteer service in 2007.  

Volunteers of the program served in 28 non-profits agencies in Chatham, Liberty and Effingham counties. The recognition event was centered on the theme “Spring into Action with Volunteerism.”  Volunteers were applauded for planting the seeds of kindness.

RSVP offers maximum flexibility and choice to its volunteers as it matches the personal interests and skills of older Americans with opportunities to serve their communities.  RSVP volunteers choose how and where they want to serve——from a few hours to more than 40 hours a week.

RSVP volunteers provide hundreds of community services, such as: tutoring children in reading and math, providing companionship and friendly visits, operating gift shops, delivering meals and taking blood pressure checks.

In keeping with the program theme, Debbie Walker, RSVP project director, said, “RSVP volunteers are a bouquet of flowering plants blooming this time of year, but serving all year, many times unseen  like seeds underground. The most beautiful season is when volunteers spring into action.”

The highlight of the event was a floral parade by the volunteers. A musical tribute to the volunteers was led by Sonny Dixon of WTOC, Tony Thomas, District 6 alderman, Pete Liakakis, chairperson of the Chatham County Commission, and John Finney, executive director of Economic Opportunity Authority.

Also in attendance at this celebration were Floyd Adams, former mayor of Savannah, Mary Osborne, city alderman District 2, and representing the office of U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah) were Marlene Free and Trish DePriest.

John Thomas, Georgia market manage, of Secure Horizons by United Healthcare, in accepting an award for support of the RSVP said that the service provided by the volunteers is inspirational. Secure Horizons is a Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS) plan.

Also honored was Harold Elkins, former RSVP Advisory Council Chairman who served the program with compassion and commitment for many years.

Linda Fields and Reed Pevey program staff, acknowledged all the volunteer stations and volunteers for being rays of sunshine and priceless flowers in our community that grow in value day by day.