Thank you, thank you, thank you
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 8 years, 2 months AGO
Deb Fisher, in the rainbow lei, joyfully watches as her husband, Warren, leans in to receive a medal from colleague Barbara Votava during the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday. Both Fishers received medals for their 24 years of service with the AARP Tax Aide program. Also pictured with a bright lei is RSVP tutor and mentor coordinator Betty Bray-Baker, left, who assisted in congratulating recipients during the awards ceremony. DEVIN HEILMAN/Press
DEVIN HEILMAN About 300 people gathered on Saturday in a convention room of the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn for the 20th annual Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. RSVP director Bob Small is at the podium, highlighting some of the tremendous efforts of his senior volunteers.
Maxine Nelson
James Knepshield
Frankie Roberson
Rena and Richard Hawley
Billie Geaudreau
Warren and Deb Fisher
Lucille Robbins
By DEVIN HEILMAN
Staff Writer
COEUR d’ALENE — Wearing a colorful lei, a peppy green Hawaiian dress and a warm smile, Doreen Schneider shared what she enjoys about volunteering.
"It gives you a reason to get up and something to look forward to," said Schneider, 80, of Hayden. "Even sometimes I think, ‘Oh, I don’t really want to go,’ but then when I get there, it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m glad I’m here.’ It’s very rewarding."
For six years, she has been meeting and greeting visitors at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor Bureau.
"It’s lovely because not only is the location terrific, but everybody that comes in is happy and kind of taken back by the view,” she said. "You meet people from all over the world."
Schneider was one of approximately 300 senior volunteers from Idaho's five northern counties who were honored Saturday for their tireless dedication during the 20th annual Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.
The Saturday luncheon had a luau theme that brightened the room and invited attendees to add a fun splash of color to their attire.
The event also included prize drawings and a spotlight ceremony where several volunteers were awarded plaques and Presidential Gold Medals for their service:
- Billie Geaudreau — 5,425 hours with Spirit Lake Senior Center.
- James Knepshield — 6,538 hours with the Post Falls Police Department.
- Lucille Robbins — 6,352 hours with Spirit Lake Senior Center.
- Maxine Nelson — 7,246 hours with the Post Falls Food Bank.
- Warren and Deb Fisher — 24 years with AARP's Tax Aide Program.
- Frankie Roberson — 5,367 hours with Bonner County.
- Rena and Richard Hawley — 12,124 hours with Post Falls Senior Center.
"If you listen to the list of how many hours each one of those individuals put in, it's incredible," said RSVP director Bob Small. "It's probably near a million dollars worth of service to this community."
Small noted the dedication of the volunteers, including the Hawleys, whom he calls the "dynamic duo."
"If you look at the span of more than 20 years — doing it as husband and wife, years ago at the Post Falls Food Bank and now at the Post Falls Senior Center — but to do that right up to today with one of them confined to a wheelchair speaks for itself," he said.
RSVP, a program of the Area Agency on Aging, is a volunteer placement service for seniors 55 and older. The program is always welcoming new seniors to join its altruistic army, which has volunteer opportunities for tutors, thrift store workers, senior companions, advocates and quilters, to name a few.
Small said volunteer hours, as per the government, are currently worth $21.10 per hour.
"There are so many people that do this and they don't want anything in return, but they do it because they want to give back to the community," he said. "And they do it because it's a win-win situation. It helps their mental and physical health and they find that there's no better feeling than being a blessing to somebody else."
For information about RSVP and how to volunteer, contact Small at 208-667-3179, ext. 235, or email [email protected].