Fall 2020 Newsletter
901 E. 8th Avenue, Ste 200 King of Prussia, PA 19406
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Greetings,
We hope this issue finds you all healthy and safe.
We know that staying active is important and that's just what you have been doing. So many of you have inquired about virtual volunteering and because school is just starting again, it will take some time for them to start their tutoring sessions.
At this time, we are only enrolling volunteers 18+ who are Pennsylvania residents. We plan to run clearances and conduct training so that when schools are ready to begin - we are too.
We've heard from many homebound seniors asking for help with grocery shopping and a new group of volunteers has made multiple deliveries to 18 seniors so far. RSVP volunteers have been making friendly phone calls to seniors to check on their well-being and provide support to lessen the feeling of social isolation. They've also sent hand-written note cards and letters of support, to share positive messages.
Food banks have been seeing an average increase of 50% more clients since the start of the pandemic. In response, 80 new RSVP volunteers have been helping in 15 food pantries in Delco, Chesco and Montco, in addition to the 14 RSVP volunteers who've been helping since before the crisis began.
Meals on wheels programs continue to provide essential food to hundreds of homebound clients and RSVP volunteers have been helping with packing and delivering meals at multiple locations.
Our summer partnership with United Way and Vello to pilot two literacy programs was a success and will continue into the school year. Mentors continue to interact with their students by meeting virtually or during safely-distanced outings and by helping their mentees prepare for online classes. Virtual math tutors are preparing for the new school year to make sure students and veterans are able to advance. Virtual volunteers will continue to play a vital role in keeping our students engaged and on track.
Our dedicated Medicare counselors are gearing up for Open Enrollment season (October 15 - December 7) by scheduling online sessions and workshops. Counselors have been providing advice by phone on Medicare coverage options and assistance. We have also developed new materials which are now posted on our website so that information can be accessed any time.
Volunteer Executive Consultants are reaching out to nonprofits to assist with growth strategies and offering several workshops geared to operating during these challenging times. Consultants have been working with several agencies via Zoom sessions.
Career professionals have participated in recording sessions to highlight their career journeys to help inspire students.
We hope you will stay in touch, stay safe and let us know if we can assist you in any way.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Michele Moll
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Join Our Team of 1,200 Dedicated Volunteers
PLUS 675 New Volunteers who signed up during the COVID-19 pandemic
610-834-1040 x.123 www.rsvpmc.org
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RSVP Happenings
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Offering Online Resources for  Educators
RSVP Volunteers Can Help Virtually
As educators and school districts are adapting lesson plans to virtual classrooms our volunteers are ready to help.
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Two programs match students with reading tutors utilizing age-appropriate books. One program for preschool through Kindergarten students and one for 1st through 5th grade students. To learn more about the preschool program contact Julie Brown, Family Literacy Program Coordinator. To learn more about the America Reads program contact Jackie Matusow, School-Based Program Coordinator.
- Virtual Classroom Assistance:
Volunteers can assist by facilitating discussions in breakout rooms. To learn more contact Jackie Matusow
- Career Presentations: Students of all ages view pre-recorded presentations highlighting a variety of career journeys to inspire them. To learn more contact Anabella Tracy, STEM Program Coordinator
- Youth Mentoring: Students are matched with mentors who champion their academic and life success. To learn more contact Janet Murphy, Mentoring Program Coordinator
If you would like to discuss volunteer support for other needs, please reach out to Michele Moll, Executive Director.
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Delaware County Volunteers
are Unstoppable!
Senior Centers may be closed but that hasn't stopped volunteers from helping others.
Volunteers from Senior Community Services (SCS) and Wayne Senior Center have been busy at home writing notecards of support to our Troops and supporting the Troopons program.
SCS Advisory Committee volunteers have held meetings outside and their APPRISE counselors have worked with clients via phone and zoom sessions, instead of in-person meetings. Surrey Services volunteers have continued to provide home delivered meals to housebound seniors.
 ____________________________________________________The MontCo Anti-Hunger Network, the MontCo Department of Public Safety, Arcadia University and RSVP collaborated to distribute food to those in need.
Several contact-free distribution events helped secure food for struggling community members. Together we:
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recruited 129 new RSVP volunteers and mobilized 80 medical reserve corps volunteers
- served 2,700 cars
- provided food for 7,500 households
- delivered excess food to 29 food pantries
 
RSVP Volunteers Sign In Boxed Foods Readied
 
Volunteers load boxes into cars
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Virtual Reading Summer Pilot Program Update
RSVP and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey teamed up to help students avoid the "summer reading slide" (as well as setbacks due to school closures/COVID) by offering students a nine week program using Vello, a United Way developed platform, providing students in grades 1-5 with a selection of books matched to their reading level in a learning program called Raz-Kids. Additional students participated in a virtual reading program managed by the United Way staff. The student and volunteer read through the book and discussed questions in a short quiz in order to track each student's progress. The pair met virtually twice each week for a 30-minute session.
Seventy-six students from the tri-county area enrolled in this pilot summer reading program. Our program began on July 7 and just ended on August 27. Most parents are interested in continuing a relationship with us, and really appreciated our volunteers who provided guided reading support. Parents reported that 75% of students increased their interest in reading as a result of the summer program. Students and volunteers enjoyed their time reading together and students improved their reading skills preparing them to begin classes as ready learners.
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Keeping it Cool
This is an example of great collaboration to make lives better!
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Do you have an interesting career?
We are in the process of creating a library of career presentations that teachers can access to provide their students with inspiration and hope. If you have a career in any of the STEM fields, the arts or trades, we would love to create a zoom recording of your journey. Please contact Janet Murphy to learn more. |
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Our Volunteers are Changing Lives
Since mid-March we have recruited
675+ new volunteers.
We are astounded by the spirit of generosity and caring felt by people from every corner of the country who contacted us to help in any way they could.
Many volunteered for our virtual programs to help children read, or to help veterans with math or to record their STEM careers to inspire students. Others volunteered to help local seniors secure groceries or medications or by delivering warm meals. Many volunteered at food distribution events and at food pantries. And others sewed the most perfect face masks to help keep us all safe.
You are making this world a better place because you care and we thank you!
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What's Your Lucky Number?
golf balls will fly high above Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. A drone filled with the lucky balls will drop them on the green. The three balls closest to the pin win!
Prizes include:
- 7-day stay at a Cape May beach house (late summer/fall/spring 2020-2021 dates to be determined)
All proceeds will support our COVID-19 response programs and recovery efforts.
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Thank you for participating in our 1st Virtual 5K
Run to Smash the Virus Pandemic
Runners and walkers selected a date between August 1 and 23 and chose their own route to run or walk.
We congratulate the raffle winner and thank everyone who participated. Your tee-shirts should be arriving shortly.
All race fees will support our COVID-19 response programs and recovery efforts.
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Volunteer Recognition Celebrations
As you know, we will not be hosting our Volunteer Recognition Luncheons this year to ensure everyone's safety. But that doesn't mean we don't appreciate and salute your selfless contributions.
Our 2019 Senior Corps Legacy Award Winners:
Al Zoghi, Cheryl Woodford, Ed Ziegler, Kay Dowgun, Shari Hunn, Andrew Fennell, Gerald Francis, Della Amoroso, Sally Taub, Stan Warchaizer, Susan Bailey, Nick Truncellito, Monica LaLor, Mary Gaffney and Joe Tonelli.
2019 President's Volunteer Service Award Winners:
500 hours during 2019:
Della Amoroso, Melinda Bartscherer, Shirley Carroll, Joanne Castagna, Patricia Cooper, Gretchen Deeck, Doris DePorter, Robert DePorter, Lester Duman, Linda Fisher, Mary Gaffney, Ron Gawel, Joseph Gilligan, Vijaya Gopalakrishan, Amy Kokoles, Barbara Makar, Thomas McKelvey, Marlene Ozer, Dianne Peterson, Barbara Rutberg, Philip Schwartz, Vincent Spragins, Ruth Whitsett, Louise Zoller.
2019 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners:
Achieving 4,000+ hours as of 2019
Robert DePorter achieved 5,035 hours by dedicating his time to Abington Jefferson Health
Thomas McKelvey achieved 4,277 hours as a volunteer at Schoolhouse Senior Center
Alfred Toizer achieved 4,142 hours as a volunteer APPRISE counselor
20 Years of Service
H. Vivian Horwitz, Agnes Palena, Edward Savitsky, Al Toizer
Our Distinguished Alumni
20+ Years of Service
Della Amoroso, Perky Cohen, Walter Fisher, Linda Fisher, Louise Goldstein, Douglas Hamel, Mabel Anderson, Adele Golkow, Patsy Dinney, Dolores Giera, Donald Robinson, Frederick Schuetz, Beatriz Moisset, Neilson Gendelman, Bernard Roseman
Lifetime Achievements
Gerald Francis, Neilson Gendelman, Barbara Makar, Della Amoroso, Ron Gawel, Yvonne Kratz, Judy Cressman, Ann Ullman, Dolores McGroarty, Audrey schmidt, Melinda Bartscherer, Josephine Graziano, Walter Fisher, Robert DePorter, Richard Singer, Barbara Rutberg, Alan Kober
And a hearty thank you to every volunteer who made a difference to someone in their community
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Our Newest Staff Member
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 Meet Sheri Wilensky Burke
VEC Program Manager
Sheri has more than 30 years of experience working with national and community-based nonprofit organizations. She was the Director of Volunteer Management & Board Development for the American Lung Association National Headquarters for 12 years, establishing strategic direction for the nationwide organization and providing consultation and training to ensure effective volunteer resources management and strengthening local board development. In addition to her new role at RSVP, Sheri is a consultant and trainer empowering organizations to develop volunteer-based projects and volunteer leaders. Sheri provides a common-sense approach to volunteer engagement, breaking down complex issues into simpler, manageable parts. Her philosophy is that volunteers are the soul of any nonprofit and she looks forward to utilizing her consulting and volunteer engagement skills to support and grow the Volunteer Executive Consultant program. |
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Whether you are new to volunteering, already a seasoned volunteer
or looking for a fun activity,
we ALWAYS need dedicated volunteers
Information Sessions have been suspended until it safe to meet as a group again.
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Where Volunteers are Needed Most
- Grocery shopping and delivery*
- Drivers for seniors*
- Virtual math tutors*
- Meals-on-Wheels drivers in Philadelphia*
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Food pantry support
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Meal prep/pack/distribution/driving
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Sorting and packing food
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Drivers - pick up & deliver produce
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Medical Reserve Corps
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Gardening: tending and picking fruit & veggies to be donated to food pantries
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Sewing face masks
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STEM and other career exploration presenters
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Meals-on-Wheels drivers and food packers
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Medicare Counselors
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Friendly phone calls to seniors
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Write notes to seniors & healthcare workers
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Blood donors & site greeters
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Translators (Spanish & Arabic)
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Unloading food truck
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Technology Navigators*
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Database input
* High Need Opportunities
Call Kathy Stocker, Volunteer Coordinator 610-834-1040 ext. 123
Safety protocols are in place for volunteer roles requiring contact
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Community News and Resources
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Medicare Questions? We are here to help!
Call us 610-834-1040 x.120
The APPRISE volunteers would like to remind everyone that they continue to be available to counsel those with questions about Medicare. Also, if your income has changed due to the COVID-19 situation there may be financial assistance available for prescription costs. Please call 610-834-1040 ext 120 to arrange a telephone counseling session. Also, be sure to check out our Medicare Help page.
Remember that Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7. Our counselors are available to help (regardless of income level).
There are many ways to get information about Medicare. If you need Medicare information in an accessible format, (Braille, Large Print or Data/Audio Files) call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. You can also email [email protected]. When contacting them, be sure to provide your preferred accessible format such as large print, Braille, or data/audio files.
Tax Information
In Delaware County?
Stay ahead of storm or other alerts by receiving an alert on your phone or email.
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Blood and platelet donations
are always in demand
It's never more critical than when someone you love needs blood or platelets that are not available.
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Memorials and Celebrations
& Additional Ways to Support RSVP
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Celebrating a birthday or special occasion this year?
Have you considered a Facebook Fundraiser to support our important community-based programs?
You can ask your Facebook friends to honor your birthday or any special occasion by asking them to donate to your special cause.
It's easy!
- On YOUR Facebook page, select "Fundraiser" from the left side menu
- Then select "raise money for a nonprofit organization"
- Select "RSVP, Inc." in King of Prussia, PA from the list
- Complete the rest of the questions, and you are ready to go!
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Connect With Us
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Do you shop on Amazon?
If you do, here's a simple way to show your support for RSVP programs.
By shopping through www.Smile.Amazon.com and designating RSVP of Montgomery County as your charity of choice, a portion of your sales are donated to us.
Thank you!
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Please Help us Spread the
Love!
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Share the Inspiring Stories
About Our Volunteers
With Your "Friends"
Help us Reach 700 Likes
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 901 E. 8th Avenue Suite 200 King of Prussia, PA 19406 610-834-1040 www.rsvpmc.org Responding to Community Needs Through Volunteerism!
Serving Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties and educationally disadvantaged children, youth and veterans in Philadelphia.
Please help us keep our critical programs running.
Support the growing needs in our communities.
We need your support now more than ever!
Does your company participate in a United Way Campaign? Please consider designating RSVP for your gift. United Way Donor #1993
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Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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