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Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

RSVP promotes the health and well-being of retired and senior volunteers by providing meaningful volunteer support that fulfills the needs of the community and enhances the effectiveness of non-profit organizations in Walla Walla County.  RSVP is a vital link that connects a lifetime of talent and experience to the larger needs of the community.

 

Program Description:

  • RSVP connects more than 600 retired and senior volunteers with 130 sites in Walla Walla County where their time and talents can serve the community.  The RSVP mission is to provide volunteer opportunities to people 55 years and older who can help meet the needs of our community, ranging from tutoring at-risk children, food distribution, after-school programs, hospitals, to counseling the elderly, assisting the homeless and much more.  

 

  • Volunteers provide an average of 11,000 hours per month, valued at more that $132,000 per month (or $2 million per year), just in Walla Walla County.

 

RSVP has many special projects

  • Friendly Drivers: Volunteers fill driving requests

  • Friends of RSVP: Financial support

  • Seniors for School and Literacy: Help children to read.

  • RSVP Advisory Council: Board of citizens who advise and work with RSVP coordinator and volunteers

  • Baby Track: Volunteers make immunization reminder phone calls to new parents

  • Project Warm-up: Volunteers knit and crochet items for babies, children, elderly and homeless.

  • Hispanic Volunteer Outreach Team: Please see our page for HVOT.

  • Grocery Shopping Service: Volunteers take shopping orders from shut-ins, disabled, and elderly, shop for the items and the store delivers.

  • Fundraising and Recognition:   Volunteers raise money by holding a seasonal gift wrapping event at the Blue Mountain Mall, as well as, other smaller fundraisers. The recognition luncheon is held in June.

 

Volunteer Benefits of RSVP Membership:

  • Insurance coverage while you are traveling to and from your RSVP assignment and while your are participating.

  • Mileage reimbursement if you are unable to volunteer without such assistance.

  • Meals or meal reimbursement for some volunteer assignments.

  • RSVP Quarterly Newsletter.

  • Recognition and satisfaction from investing your hours and knowledge and filling a real community need.

Activities:

RSVP volunteers work where there are activities open to the public, for example:

  • Fairs and information booths;

  • Festivals;

  • Fort Walla Walla Museum;

  • Little Theater;

  • Kirkman House Museum ;

  • RSVP also spnsors special fund-raising activities such as gift wrapping at the mall.

FAQs:

Q.    What if I want to volunteer and I'm under 55?

A.    Call 527-3278 and we'll suggest other volunteer opportunities in the area.

Q.    Is there insurance if I am hurt while volunteering?

A.    Volunteers are covered by insurance when they are at the volunteer assignment.

Q.     How about reimbursement for mileage?

A.     Volunteers are reimbursed for their mileage to and from the site if they request reimbursement.

Q.    Can I volunteer at more than one place?

A.    Yes.  We have a long list of volunteer stations.  Choose as many as you like.

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