RSVP LUNCHEON Volunteers recognized for service

Participants devoted some 200,000 hours in community service.
BOARDMAN -- The Volunteer Services Agency Inc. honored more than 300 participants of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program during the 29th annual luncheon Tuesday at The Georgetown.
The RSVP volunteers gave more than 200,000 hours of service to the community in the last year.
Karen Fox, First Energy coordinator of customer and community services, was mistress of ceremonies.
Entertainment was provided by Aut Mori Grotto clowns and The Patriots of North Canton.
Other program participants were the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps of The Rayen School; Tony Feldes, past commander of VFW Post 6488, and the Rev. Russell Adams of Western Reserve United Methodist Church.
Chuck Schiffhauer, project coordinator for VSA, was the luncheon organizer.
Background
RSVP is a national program within Senior Corps, which is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Services. RSVP taps the skills, talents and experience of more than 500,000 Americans who are 55 and older to meet a wide range of community challenges.
On the average, RSVP volunteers give about four hours a week to local organizations such as nonprofit agencies, public agencies and faith-based groups. Some RSVP volunteers are involved in homeland security by presenting public safety and public health programs and promoting disaster preparedness efforts.
VSA is the Mahoning Valley's central resource for volunteer recruitment, placement, management and professional development. VSA sponsors three nationally affiliated programs -- RSVP of Mahoning and southern Trumbull counties, the Volunteer Center of Youngstown-Mahoning Valley (Points of Light National Network) and Volunteer Service to Seniors (Faith in Action.)