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  What's New & Noteworthy from
    RSVP of Dane County
    September 2018
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Retired and Senior Volunteer Program 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
Open House a Big Success!
Foster Grandparent Program: An Experience of a Lifetime
Giving Tuesday November 27
  
  Open House a Big Success!
     
  

' Welcome to our New Digs' was the theme of this year's RSVP Open House.   In July, after 30 years at our Segoe Road location, RSVP of Dane County moved to our new location at 6501 Watts Road. To celebrate our new space, we held an Open House on August 21st.

We had a wonderful turnout with more than 150 guests enjoying food, fun and taking tours of our new space.   Guests talked with staff about all the wonderful volunteer opportunities and services that RSVP of Dane County has to offer. 


           If you missed our Open House or would like more information, please stop by our office, give us a call at (608)238-7787 or visit our website www.rsvpdane.org.  Office hours are 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

   
   Foster Grandparent Program,
  an Experience of a Lifetime
 
  
 
If you are a low-income senior 55+ and love working with children in a public school or Head Start environment, I'd like to offer you the experience of a lifetime.
 
The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is a unique volunteer opportunity for low-income seniors who can commit at least 15 hours/week to mentor and tutor children. Foster Grandparents work one-on-one with children who have been identified by classroom teachers as needing additional help. A stipend is provided for those who meet income limits, which are established by the federal government.

As a foster grandparent, under the supervision of the classroom teacher, you become an essential element in the lives of young children. It has been shown that FGP does make a difference.

Candidates need not have any formal classroom training. FGP offers an initial 40 hours of training before placement, opportunities to shadow experienced foster grandparents, and ongoing monthly opportunities to train. Your willingness to serve in your community and to make a difference in the lives of young children is all you need to begin the process.

Foster grandparents receive support from the classroom teacher, the Coordinator, and other opportunities to learn and grow.

If you are willing to work with children from a variety of backgrounds, show patience, acceptance and a spirit of cooperation, please consider joining our team of volunteers who make a difference in the lives of young children. 

To take advantage of this unique opportunity contact,  Mary E. Brown, Foster Grandparent Program Coordinator, (6 08) 661-4271 or  mbrown@rsvpdane.org.
 
 
   Giving Tuesday November 27 
   
 
G iving Tuesday is a global philanthropic effort that  originated years ago. It is celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, following the shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
 
This day of giving puts the focus on helping others through the gift of your donations and/or your time and is the perfect opportunity to give to organizations that you value and trust.
 
Last year, RSVP of Dane County was able to raise over $11,000.00 to support our programs in the community: providing rides to medical appointments for seniors and veterans, tutoring in schools, providing quilts and knitted items, supporting food pantries and other community needs.
 
This year, Giving Tuesday is November 27th. Please help spread the word about this great fundraising opportunity for RSVP of Dane County!
 
Leading up to Giving Tuesday, our Facebook page will feature stories of our volunteers. When you "Like" and "Share" our Facebook page, others can learn about RSVP, the opportunities we offer and the wonderful work our volunteers do in our community.
 
The more we share this message, the more successful our fundraiser will be!
 
 
 Thanks to our major Sponsors
MG&E and Ho-Chunk Nation
 



Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Dane County

6501 Watts Rd., Ste. 250
 Madison WI 53719
 608-238-7787


Important Dates
 
RSVP Office Closed:

Thurs., November 22
Thanksgiving Day

Fri., November 23
Thanksgiving Holiday

Mon., December 24
Christmas Eve

Tues., December 25
Christmas Day




  Triad Events

West Madison:

Free Car Winterization Check
Wed., October 10
 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
  Firestone Complete Auto Care 
7105 Mineral Point, Madison 


Estate Planning
Wed., November 28
10:30 a.m.
  Attorney Timothy Sugar,
Neider Boucher, SC
Coventry Village
7707 N. Brookline Dr., Madison 


Cottage Grove Triad:

 Keeping the Keys
Tues., September 25
10:00 a.m.
 Christine Bergan,
AAA Driver Training Program 
Taylor Ridge Senior Apts. 
510 Westlawn Dr., Cottage Grove 


Annual Car Winterization
Sat., October 20
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Meinke Car Care
222 W. Cottage Grove Rd.,

Reservations required
call Georgia, 839-4426


The Opioid Crisis:
What is Happening?
What should we Know?
Tues., October 23
10:00 a.m.
Chief Layber
Taylor Ridge Senior Apts. 
510 Westlawn Dr., Cottage Grove 


Medicare Updates for 2019
Tues., November 13
10:00 a.m.
Matt Mabie, RPH, Forward Pharmacy
Taylor Ridge Senior Apts. 
510 Westlawn Dr., Cottage Grove


Verona Triad

Winterization Car Check and
Car-Fit for Seniors
Fri., October 5
8:00-11:00 a.m.
Hometown Auto
700 S. Nine Mound Rd., Verona


Smart Money Safety
Mon., November 19
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Kingsley Gobourne & Tyler Paucek,
Retail Center Mgrs.
Old National Bank
Verona Senior Center
108 Paoli St., Verona


Mark your calendar:
2018 Annual
Wisconsin State Triad and RSVP of Dane County Triad's
'Crime Prevention and
Safety Conference'
Friday, September 28 
8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
American Family Insurance
6000 American Pkwy., Madison
To register click here:

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!
 
November 6
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at
Northport Dr. & Mineral Point Rd. Walgreens

December 4
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  at
S. Park St. & Raymond Rd. 
Walgreens


Volunteer Now!
Current Opportunities



DRIVER SERVICES: 
 Mary Schmelzer
441-7896 
or mschmelzer@rsvpdane.org
 
DRIVERS NEEDED  to drive passengers who are seniors (60 yrs. and older) or veterans of all ages to important appointments, or to deliver meals to seniors in Dane County communities outside of Madison. You set your own schedule, no minimum hours required. RSVP provides mileage reimbursement and extra liability insurance.  Drivers are especially needed on the east side of Madison, in Stoughton, Verona, Mt. Horeb, Sun Prairie, and Deerfield.
 
 
 
 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS:
Jan  Karst  
441-7891 or jkarst@rsvpdane.org 
 
UW ARBORETUM  is looking for volunteers to work as weekend receptionists in the Visitor Center. It's a very busy place with a great view!
 
ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL  needs volunteers who would enjoy delivering mail and flowers, as well as bringing the morning beverage cart to visitors in waiting areas. Volunteers also print out and deliver e-cards to patients: simple computer skills and the ability to walk distances are needed.
 
UNITY POINT HEALTH - MERITER HOSPITAL   needs volunteers to assist in the gift shop delivering floral arrangements or being part of the lobby concierge team.
 
COMMUNITY ACTION COALITION GLEANERS   is looking for volunteers to do a weekly route of picking up excess food at one location (stores, etc) and delivering it to another (food pantries and nutrition sites).
 
MADISON  INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS  
creates opportunities for global awareness and understanding among people of different races, cultures, religions, and social backgrounds. They need volunteers in the following programs: English Conversation Time, International Friendship Program, Global Spouse Connection, International Cooking, and Temporary Housing in August.
 
HENRY VILAS ZOO   would like volunteers to help drive the zoo train, operate the carousel, greet visitors at the zoo kiosks, and supervise the goat feeding area. Sounds like fun!
 
THEATER BUS  is looking for a volunteer accountant to serve as treasurer, preparing financial reports for the Board and attending board meetings.  Must have experience with Quick Books and Excel,  payroll reporting, federal/state tax reports and general bookkeeping/accounting for a nonprofit. Hours would be one four-hour morning every other week, plus monthly board meetings. 
 
 
 
INTERGENERATIONAL:
Laura Mikkelson
441-7894 or  Lmikkelson@rsvpdane.org
 
TUTOR/CLASSROOM HELPER   We offer placements throughout the school year. Tutor training is provided.  Volunteers can be matched one-to-one or with small groups of children.  The focus is on literacy and math. Schools are also looking for volunteers to help in the library, art classes, music classes, lunchrooms, and as general classroom assistants. 
 
COMPUTER BUDDIES PROGRAM:  Would you enjoy corresponding with an elementary student throughout the school year?  Computer Buddies volunteers are matched with a student and communicate in pen-pal fashion, weekly or bi-weekly, via a secure blogging site. This provides students with the opportunity to practice their writing and computer skills, while fostering a positive relationship between the generations. A fun way to volunteer without leaving your home, which does not involve a big time commitment, usually about 30 minutes a week. 
 
 
 
GROUP PROJECTS:
Kate Seal
310-7280 or kseal@rsvpdane.org
 
STOREROOM VOLUNTEER needed to help organize and file away handcrafted items, and fill and document orders of items needed by community recipients. Volunteer should be o rganized, detailed, compassionate and able to work 3-6 hours w eekly during the busy (cold) season.  
 
HANDCRAFTING VOLUNTEERS
w elcomed to make items that will be donated to other non-profit organizations in our community to help keep our neighbors warm and safe in our winter months.
Perfect project for people who love to knit, crochet, or sew for others. 
 
REMEMBERING SALLY NEWELL: RSVP celebrates the life of Sally Newell, a Group Projects volunteer, who was an inspiration and the epitome of peace and love.  So much so, that a volunteer from her beloved Fitchburg Knitters made one hat for each year of her life to commemorate Sally.