Community Action, Inc.’s Senior Corps-Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Annual Indiana County Recognition Held

Community Action, Inc.’s Senior Corps-Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) held their annual recognition event, “Fun and Games, Bingo Party” on October 11, 2017 at the Trinity Methodist Church in Indiana to recognize 85 active volunteers within Indiana County. Samantha Schrecengost, Senior Corps-RSVP Director, presented a ceremonial check for $64,951.05 to County Commissioners Sherene Hess and Rodney Ruddock acknowledging the current value of the 8,958.6 hours served by the Senior Corps-RSVP volunteers in Indiana County from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. These hours were served at 12 stations throughout the county, including: Aging Services, Inc., Central Blood Bank, Homer City Social Center, Indiana County Community Action Program (ICCAP), American Red Cross, Indiana County Head Start, Indiana Social Center, Mahoning Hills Social Center, PA Senior Environment Corps (PaSEC), Saltsburg Social Center, St. Andrew’s Village, and the Two Lick Valley Social Center. Samantha stated, “I don’t think the public realizes the people who serve them at non-profits, healthcare facilities, and at other locations are often volunteers, this check represents the expense employers would incur if not for the time and expertise provided by volunteers. Local children, elderly, disadvantaged, and veterans would go without services. Senior Corps-RSVP Volunteers are truly amazing and I cannot thank them enough for all their generosity and contributions to their communities; I hope future generations have the same passion to help others.” This event was sponsored by Indiana Couty Commissioners, Community Action, Inc., the Corporation for National and Community Service, and local donors: Big League Haircuts; Cake Shotts; Delgrosso’s Amusement Park; Gatti Pharmacy; Go Bonkerz Entertainment; Hoss’s Steak and Sea House; Aging Services, Inc.; Martin's; Penn View Equipment Company, Inc.; Super Shoes; The Altoona Curve; The Home Made Restaurant; Ungrapeful Winery; and William G. Mechling Insurance Agency. During the “Fun and Games” event, awards were presented to individuals who have been volunteering for five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years, as well as serving over 500 hours in one year, and 7,000 lifetime hours. There was also special recognition to veterans and new RSVP volunteers. If you are age 55 or over and interested in utilizing your skills and talents to improve our community and change people's lives, become a member of Community Action, Inc.'s Senior Corps-RSVP. If you are seeking volunteers to serve at your non-profit or healthcare facilities, become a Senior Corps-RSVP Station. Contact Samantha Schrecengost, Senior Corps-RSVP Director, at 814-938-3302, ext. 236 or toll-free 1-800-648-3381 or via e-mail [email protected].