RSVP of Dane County's mission is to make a positive impact in the community by recruiting volunteers 55 and older to help deliver priority services to people of all ages, providing Dane County with a valuable resource.
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Technology:
A Path to an Improved Life
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Jerry Apps, author/professor/radio host and featured speaker at the RSVP Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in October, spoke about when electricity came to his family farm. As he shared his story, a wave of shared memory swept the room. Clearly, the electrification of small town and rural Wisconsin struck a chord for many in the crowd.
Today's senio
rs have seen their share of changes -- electricity, indoor plumbing, an interstate roadway system, television, automobiles, telephones then cell phones, automatic washers, dryers, dishwashers, electric typewriters, computers -- the list goes on and on.
With each new technology there are trade offs -- a clothes dryer saves time but the fresh air smell is gone, car travel is faster but comes with increased costs and safety risks, computers bring knowledge to users instantly but can be complicated to use. As a result, technology is sometimes viewed negatively
-- we look at the old ways fondly because they often were part of simpler times, spent with people dear to our hearts.
Although technological changes are coming at us at a fast and furious pace, technology still offers hopeful changes to so many.
RSVP would love to hear your stories of how a 'new' technology changed your life. How old were you? How did it impact your life? What did you think about the change? Did you embrace this change or resist it? It could be a technology from your early, middle or later years. If you'd like to share your story, please send it to [email protected].
We'll share some of these stories with our readers in the future editions of E-Xtra and NewsNotes. At the same time, we'll share information about new technology that offers positive options to folks as they age to help them maintain their independence or stay connected with folks they love. We look forward to exploring these together!
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What's Happening in School?
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When Jerry Apps asked how many folks at RSVP's volunteer appreciation event had attended a one-room school house, the room exploded with hands in the air. Looking around, you saw smiles on many faces and nods of recognition, as he recalled his school days.
Schools have certainly changed as the population has grown and education includes subjects never dreamed of back in the day -- keyboarding, computer programming, library, music and art to name a few. Now a single classroom teaches about the same number of students as a school house once served.
Today,
teachers and students benefit from an extra set of hands in their classroom and senior volunteers play a big part to support learning in classrooms across Dane County.
Schools turn to two RSVP programs for volunteer help, the Foster Grandparent Program and the Intergenerational Program, both of which offer senior volunteers meaningful opportunities to spend time in classrooms to help children to learn.
Foster Grandparents is a program that places eligible seniors in one classroom for several days each week in an effort to boost students' learning. For more information refer to the sidebar listing.
Intergenerational volunteers also assist teachers, often during specific classes or learning times, and again with the aim of boosting students' learning. See the listing of opportunities in the sidebar.
Imagine with your help, students may remember their own school days with the same fondness as was inspired by memories of a one-room school house.
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#
GivingTuesday and the
Beauty of Neighbors
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Not to make this the 'Jerry Apps Show,' but he did touch on so many ideals close to RSVP's heart. When Apps reminisced how growing up in a small community nurtured a sense of 'neighbors helping neighbors,' it struck a note here at RSVP. After all, volunteering is the core of how we aim to serve our community!
RSVP staff is blessed to work with more than 1,500 volunteers serving across Dane County who help make life in Dane County richer. Not only do our supporters and volunteers give through time, but they believe in the idea of volunteerism enough to support RSVP's efforts financially.
For the second year, RSVP ran a #GivingTuesday campaign as part of this international effort to kick off the season of giving and inspire people to take collective action to improve their community by giving to charities and causes they believe in. A
nd for the second year in a row, RSVP's #GivingTuesday has been blessed by the generosity of folks in Dane County, exceeding our match and bringing our total raised to $11,000!
This fundraising effort is ongoing and money raised helps us reach out to recruit more volunteers for organizations who need their help. You can still help RSVP make a greater impact by making a #GivingTuesday donation at
www.rsvpdane.org.
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Thanks to our major Sponsors
MGE and
Ho-Chunk Nation
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Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Dane County
6501 Watts Rd., Ste. 250
Madison WI 53719
608-238-7787
Like and follow us on Facebook!
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Seasons Greetings
to our One-of-a-Kind Volunteers!
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Important Dates
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RSVP Office Closed:
Mon., December 24
Christmas Eve
Tues., December 25
Christmas Day
Mon., December 31
New Year's Eve
Tues., January 1
New Year's Day
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Triad Events
West Madison:
Emergency Preparedness
Thurs., January 24
10:00 a.m.
Speaker TBA
Prairie Park Apartments,
6530 Schroeder Rd., Madison
Cottage Grove Triad:
Living with Anxiety, Depression & other Mental Health Issues
Tues., January 15
10:00 a.m.
Speaker,
Kaitlyn
Mellom, NAMI,
Drumlin Residences, 107 E. Reynolds St., Cottage Grove
Verona Triad:
Coffee with a Cop
Mon., January 7
9:00 a.m.
Speakers, Ryan Adkins & Chris Kauer, Verona Senior Center, 108
Paoli St., Verona
For more information about Triad, contact
Mary Stamstad at
Visit RSVP at Walgreens'
Senior Discount Days
RSVP distributes File of Life packets & other info at Walgreens each month. Stop by to
enjoy the senior discount!
December 4
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
at
S. Park St. & Raymond Rd.
Walgreens
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Volunteer Now!
Current Opportunities
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