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  What's New & Noteworthy from
    Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
    (RSVP) of Dane County
    May 2019
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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.

Happenings
 
 Intergenerational Volunteer's   Dedication is Inspirational 
     
Intergenerational volunteer Ann Gordon-Walker has been an RSVP volunteer for 17 years, and in that time has clocked 585 hours! After retirement from UW-Madison, where she was a scientist, she took only a few months off before she started volunteering in Madison schools. 

Ann is a literacy tutor at Muir Elementary School in Madison for Ms. Desjardins where she helps students one-on-one with reading by assisting them with unfamiliar words they are struggling with. While in the classroom, she tries to reach each of the students, letting them know that she notices every one of them. 

"Ann truly has a heart for kids!" Ms. Desjardins shared. "Her bubbly personality adds a dose of joy and levity to our classroom. The students love time spent reading with Ann as she is so engaged as they read together. She shares personal anecdotes and her vast life experiences, making stories come to life. Ann often shares about her world travels and her childhood in England. Once, when my students were learning spool knitting, she unearthed a darling spool knitter she used as a child, the students were fascinated. She is so loved and so lovely."  What a great testament to how greatly appreciated Intergenerational volunteers are to a classroom.

If you are near retirement, keep Ann's schedule in mind and you too will have fulfilling weeks to look forward to: Ann's family does not live near her so she fills her days with volunteering, teaching/participating in PLATO classes, and enjoys going to the American Players Theatre. If you were to talk with Ann she would tell you to 'volunteer!'

Please contact Laura Mikkelson Intergenerational Volunteer Coordinator at lmikkelson@rsvpdane.org or 608-441-7894 if  you're interested in learning more or to sign up to become an Intergenerational volunteer.
   
   
  Madison Rotary Grant for
  Foster Grandparent Program

     
The Foster Grandparent program would like to thank the Madison Rotary Foundation for their 2018 grant which allowed us the opportunity to donate books to three of the ReachDane HeadStart Centers. 

We enjoyed being able to hand the books out to children, because the Foster Grandparent Program focuses on education and instilling a love of learning. 

Foster Grandparents are able to work one-on-one to create a bond with students who need that extra assistance. Students learn that the Foster Grandparent, who must put in a minimum of five hours each week, will be someone they can count on to be present almost daily in their lives. 

It is a win win for the student and Foster Grandparent, because it has been shown that by the end of the year the student has improved academically and the Foster Grandparent reports being healthier, happier and feels part of a community. 

If you qualify as a low-income senior, and would like to receive a tax-free stipend and be reimbursed for lunch and travel expenses while making a difference for your community, please contact Laura Mikkelson at lmikkelson@rsvpdane.org or 608-441-7894.


   
  Bus Buddy Program
  Announces 2019 Tour

 

The Bus Buddy Tours Program, with funding from Dane County Human Services and AAA, offers seniors the opportunity to ride along with other participants on the bus to designated locations.

 The program is designed to teach seniors, age 60 and older, how to navigate the Madison Metro Bus System, while experiencing a fun social group outing In  May, Bus Buddy Tours  will kick off its 2019 season, offering 5 fun-filled trips to local points of interest.

 Please see the schedule below for dates and locations. Each participant will receive a Bus Buddy t-shirt, a 10-ride bus pass, and Madison Metro Bus Ride Guide.

May 29 - Monona Terrace Mindful Meditation at 12 noon 
Enjoy scenic Monona Terrace and experience a brief class in mindful m editation followed by a snack at the Farmer's Market.
 
June 26 - The Bubbler at Madison Public Library at 10:30
Enjoy participating in a hands on project at the Bubbler Room, f ollowed by lunch at Parthenon Gyro restaurant.
 
July 24 - Senior Day at Madison Mallard's Baseball at 11:30
Come experience all the fun of a Madison Mallard's Baseball game.   Game starts at 12:05.
 
August 20 - Point Cinema at 10:30
Enjoy a blockbuster movie and some popcorn at Point Cinema
   
September 24 - Lane's Bakery and UW Space Place at 9:30
Learn about the stars, constellations and planets on a tour of UW Space Place. Enjoy coffee and pastry at Lane's Bakery, followed by a tour of UW Space Place.
 
October 23 - End of Season lunch at RSVP at 11:30
Enjoy lunch as you listen to a guest speaker from Madison Metro Bus and  information about Med Lock Boxes, with a Med Lock Box give-away!

For more information or to reserve your spot on an upcoming trip, please call Jan Karst at 441-7891 or jkarst@rsvpdane.org or Diana Jost at 441-1393 or djost@rsvpdane.org.

This program is funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration as authorized Under 49 U.S.C. 5310 Mobility Options of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (CFDA 20.521).

 
 Thanks to our major Sponsors
MGE and Ho-Chunk Nation
 


2019 Sweepstakes Gift Card:
Your Prize
is in the Cards!


 

Watch your mail or visit our website in May for entry forms and information:  



Important Dates

 
RSVP Office Closed:

Mon., May 27
Memorial Day

Thurs., July 4
Independence Day

Mon., September 2
Labor Day


  Triad Events

West Madison:

Spring Cleaning/Recycling Rules/Roll Out Program
Wed., May 29
 10:00 a.m.
  Speaker Officer Tyler Grigg
Mid-Town Police District, 
4020 Mineral Point, Madison

Travel Safety
Wed., June 26
10:00 a.m.
Speaker Ed Mani, 
Burkhalter Travel
6501 Mineral Point Rd., Madison



Cottage Grove Triad:

 Don't Make Yourself an Easy Target: Self-Defense for Seniors
Tues., May 21
10:00 a.m.
 Speaker Randy Beck and Justin,
USA Karate
107 E. Reynolds St., Cottage Grove
 

Traffic Laws/Driving:
(The effect of prescription drugs on driving)
Tues., June 18
10:00 a.m.
Speaker Deputy Mueller,
Dane County Sheriff's Office
107 E. Reynolds St., Cottage Grove


Verona Triad:

Appreciating Our Diversity 
to Reduce Conflict
Thurs., June 27
10:30 a.m.
Speaker Angela Velasquez, Dane County Area Agency on Aging
108 
Paoli St., Verona

Save the Date:
Triad Annual Conference
Fri., September 27
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
American Family Insurance 
Training Center, Madison


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!

June 4
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  
Verona Rd. & Cottage Grove Rd. 
Walgreens

August 6
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Northport & Mineral Point Rd.
Walgreens

September 3
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
S. Park St. & Raymond Rd.


Volunteer Now!
Current Opportunities


DRIVER SERVICES: 
 Mary Schmelzer
441-7896 
or mschmelzer@rsvpdane.org
 
DRIVERS URGENTLY NEEDED  in all Dane County communities to provide  rides for seniors (60 yrs. and older) and veterans of all ages to medical and other important appointments, or to deliver meals to seniors in communities outside of Madison.  Very flexible schedule and mileage reimbursement/extra liability insurance is provided.   Drivers are especially needed  in Deerfield, McFarland, Mount Horeb, Stoughton and Sun Prairie.
 

 
 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS:
Jan  Karst  
441-7891 or jkarst@rsvpdane.org 
 
COMMUNITY ACTION COALITION GLEANERS  is looking for volunteers to drive a weekly route to pick up excess food from one location (stores, etc.) and deliver it to another (food pantries, nutrition sites). Help get food out to those who need it!
 
COMMUNITY ACTION COALITION  needs volunteers to help in their warehouse sorting food and labeling cans. Shifts available are Monday/Tuesday/Friday afternoons and Wednesday/Thursday mornings and afternoons.  Must be able to bend, stoop and push carts. 
 
MADISON SCHOOL & COMMUNITY RECREATION PONTOON BOAT PROGRAM is looking for boaters to drive the pontoon boats or be a first mate on the lakes this summer. Take groups of guests on pontoon boat rides! Training and supervision is provided.

 

FOSTER GRANDPARENTS:
Laura Mikkelson, 
441-7894
or Lmikkelson@rsvpdane.org

The children of Dane County need you!  If you are a low-income Senior, 55 years or older, and can commit to a minimum of 5 hours per week to making a difference in the lives of Dane County children, while receiving a tax-free stipend, we have the opportunity of a lifetime for you. For more information, please contact Laura Mikkelson  and begin the process of experiencing what your service means to Dane County youth.



INTERGENERATIONAL:
Laura Mikkelson
441-7894 or  Lmikkelson@rsvpdane.org
 
Please consider volunteering for the Intergenerational Program where you will be placed in an educational setting with youth! You can become a volunteer tutor/classroom helper in a Dane County school, help students improve interviewing skills with the DeForest Biolink project and Madison Memorial History Project, or help at school food pantries.  

   

 
GROUP PROJECTS:
Kate Seal
310-7280 or kseal@rsvpdane.org
 
Group Projects  donated more than 12,000 handcrafted items to less fortunate families across Dane County last year: Items like hats, mittens, scarves, shawls, quilts, afghans, pillows, baby items and much more lovingly created to help keep our community safe, warm and comforted. We'd love for you to join our efforts, whether you (or someone you know) would enjoy the social aspect of sewing, knitting or crocheting in an RSVP group or prefer working on your own. 



TRIAD
Mary Stamstad
441-7897 or mstamstad@rsvpdane.org

Verona Triad needs committee members  to help plan educational programs for seniors on crime prevention and safety issues. 

The committee is made up of persons from the Verona Police Dept., FitchRona EMS, Verona Senior Center, Dane County Sheriff's Office, seniors and members of the general public. 

Meetings are on the second Monday of each month at the Verona Senior Center, 108 Paoli St., 10:00-11:30 am. 

If you are interested, contact
Becky Losby,
becky.losby@ci.verona.wi.us ,
or Julie Larson,
Julie.larson@ci.verona.wi.us .


Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Dane County
6501 Watts Rd., Ste. 250
Madison WI 53719
608-238-7787

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