Page 162 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2021

FINAL SAY
GENNÁ
SMITH
Retired Senior Volunteer Director, Harrison County Senior Resources Agency
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is an AmeriCorps Seniors program that has partnered with Harrison County to provide individuals age 55 and over with opportunities to use their life skills and talents to help meet critical needs in our community.
RSVP volunteer service hours are collected and reported on a national level through the program, painting the picture of community service in our community and it
is truly amazing! RSVP has over 200 volunteers who are dedicated to service in Harrison County. On average, participants of the program contribute over 50,000 hours each year.
RSVP networks with local nonprofits to develop volunteer stations. Through these stations, volunteers use their
time and talents to assist hospitals, local museums, the USO, community gardens, the American Red Cross, run exercise programs at several senior centers and serve with organizations feeding the hungry. Volunteers contribute their time to helping support other special projects in the community. Also, they have been called upon to assist at local events for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St Jude’s Hospital.
We have a 92-year-old volunteer, a water aerobics instructor, that is dedicated to teaching at a local community center. Nine of our RSVP volunteers help run the day-to-day operations of the Bethel Free Clinic in Biloxi. Volunteers who are pet therapists brought service animals to assisted living facilities for window visits during the pandemic lockdown.
Mr. Pete Raif, who is the winner of this year’s John Caranna Service Award, was nominated earlier this year for his outstanding service and dedication for volunteering at Memorial Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are only a few of hundreds of volunteer stories!
We strive to recognize the RSVP volunteers and acknowledge their actions throughout the community multiple times a year with luncheons and recognition events that celebrate each individual volunteer’s service
years and lifetime hours. Mileage reimbursements are issued quarterly and a free supplemental insurance to protect them while in volunteer service is provided at no cost.
The Harrison County Retired Senior Volunteer Program has been celebrating volunteer service in our community and measuring the impact for years! I am inspired by the RSVP seniors as they answer the call to service, rise above challenges, and make our community a better place to live!
AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle
the country’s most pressing challenges through national service
and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
162 | November 2021
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