About 250 members of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program enjoyed camaraderie, prizes and awards during the annual RSVP recognition luncheons at Carrabba’s Italian Grill on March 13 and 16.

The RSVP recognition luncheons honor volunteers from all corners of Martin County for a wide array of activities that tackle the community’s most pressing problems, from helping law enforcement to tutoring children to delivering meals to shut-ins to supporting health care. They also enrich our community by volunteering for cultural, environmental and historical organizations as well as faith-based and civic groups.

“The luncheons are a way to thank the volunteers who devote so much of their time and talents to the people of Martin County,” said Carol Hodnett, director of the program. “There are nearly 1,000 volunteers 55 and better who are registered with RSVP in Martin County, and last year they reported 72,300 hours of service. The value of their service is estimated at more than a million dollars. That’s a tremendous impact on the people and agencies of Martin County.”

During the luncheons, volunteers receive service awards for the years they have been registered and active in RSVP. This year, they are as follows:

15 years Joseph Bell Norma Degrosa Richard Degrosa Diana Hachmuth Iris Kwek James Malcolm Lois Malcolm Muriel Mason Frances Menegus Betty Ricketson Gertrude Simone	10 years Nancy Cadigan Jerry Cavanaugh Emily Eisenlohr Barbara Grace Robert Graff Robert Hall Helen Heinzman Elaine Pekar Ann Shanley Robert Staff Dorothea Wiley Robert Wool
Five years
Frank Abell  Shirley Acheson Lee Bergman Victoria Brox Irene Campbell Pamela Carrozza Patsy Carver Florence Chatowsky           Harley Dingman Janet Donovan Josephine Durham Joseph Florentine Mary Freddoso Irma Goodcuff Shirley Grundmann                    Susan Hershey Edward Johansen Connie Justi	Patricia Kahrimanian Carol Keske Barbara Leone Joseph Lotufo Alvin Malley Joseph Marchiselli Diane Martin Charles McLeod Gloria McLeod James Mottram Mike Myers Rose Petuskin George Phillips Nancy Rad James Rigby Mary Rigby William Schneider Milly Scotellaro Edward Singer Sandra Stevenson

ABOUT RSVP

RSVP is a program of the United Way of Martin County’s Volunteer & Community Resource Center and is part of the federal Corporation for National and Community Service.

RSVP helps people 55 and better find volunteer opportunities that enrich their lives and strengthen the community. RSVP volunteers use their skills and experience to tackle some of the biggest problems in our community. For example, they help police protect their neighbors, mentor and tutor young people, deliver meals to the hungry, serve as tour guides, entertainers, advisers and aides, and give their time to countless other worthwhile activities.

To learn more about how volunteering can impact your life and help you help others, please call (772) 220-4472 or visit www.martinvolunteers.org.