Community Action, Inc.’s Senior Corps-Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Annual Jefferson 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 4, 2017 at the American Legion Post #392 in Reynoldsville to recognize 100 active volunteers within Jefferson County. Samantha Schrecengost, Senior Corps-RSVP Director, presented a ceremonial check for $118,144.78 to County Commissioners Jeff Pisarchick and Jack Matson acknowledging the value of the 16,295.8 hours Senior Corps-RSVP Volunteer served in Jefferson County July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Schrecengost reported the volunteer hours were served at 17 stations throughout the county, including: Brockwayville Depot; Community Action Inc.’s Toys for Tots, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Domestic Violence Prevention, and Career Development activities; Jefferson County Department of Veteran Affairs; Brookville Heritage House; Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Home Delivered Meals, Ombudsman, and Apprise Programs; Jefferson County Housing Authority; Jefferson-Clarion County Head Start; Mulberry Square Elder Care Center; Punxsutawney Pine Street Social Center; Punxsutawney Area Hospital; Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center; Punxsutawney REACT; Cook Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts; The Chatterbox Café and Social Center, Inc.; Reynoldsville Foundry; Punxsutawney Groundhog Club; and WRC's In-Home Solutions Hospice Program. 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 the Jefferson County Commissioners, Community Action, Inc., the Corporation for National and Community Service, and local donors including: the American Legion, Post #392; B&C Hair and Body Studio; Ferringer-Bloom on Main; Plyler’s Buffet & Family Restaurant; Tammy Martz Reflexology; Valley Tire Company; McDonald's; Verna Leith Sawmill Theater; The Medicine Shoppe of Punxsutawney; and Punxsutawney Plaza-Robert Libby. 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 of 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].