Edition: Fall/Winter 2015
Editor:  Tina M.Weaver
Our Website:  www.rsvpmc.org
Newsletter Table of Contents
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Visit our Facebook page often.
There's always something great happening! 
AnnualAppeal
Help us Help Others through our Annual Appeal



Thank you  
for your donations!
  
  Because of your generosity, we are able to accomplish so many amazing things. Please click on the Impact Report to read how many of our community members have been helped by your donations and your time.  We can't thank you enough!
 


BundlesofSweet
Many of you already know that we work with local companies to create volunteer activities benefiting local community members. What you may not know is that we created a new project that has become very popular with corporate employees - blanket making! 
Medicare
Medicare's Open Enrollment Ends on December 7th

You can still make changes to your Medicare plan before December 7th. To reach our counselors, call (610) 834-1040, ext.20. If you are not able to reach a counselor, you can still call 1-800-MEDICARE for advice and assistance.

If you made any changes to your Medicare plans during Open Enrollment, your new benefits will go into effect on January 1st.
 
If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period (when you first became eligible for Medicare) there's a General Enrollment period from January 1st through March 31st. During this period you can enroll in Medicare's Part B (outpatient services) with benefits taking effect on July 1st. You may have to pay a higher premium for late enrollment in Part B if you did not enroll when first eligible for Medicare.
 
If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and are not happy, you can switch back to Original Medicare during January 1st through February 14th. (Original Medicare is the only plan available during this period.) If you do make this change, be sure to sign up for a Part D (prescription) plan to ensure continued drug coverage.
 
Our APPRISE counselors are always available to answer your questions. Call (610) 834-1040 ext.20. Visit our APPRISE page for a list of presentation and counseling sites .
GivingTues
What is Giving Tuesday?
 
There's Black Friday; there's Cyber Monday, and now there's #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back!
 
Did you know that nearly two-thirds of low-income families do not own any books ?


Your gift of just $5 will ensure that a Head Start preschool student will finally
have a book of their own.
  

Please visit Give a Kid a Book and be the one to change a young person's life!
 
Thank you!
   
______________________________________________________ 
 
Speaking of Books . . .   Do you Have any Buried Treasure? 
If you're part of a book club or you meet with any group regularly, why not run a mini-book drive and collect gently used picture books for our Family Literacy program.
 
We need books for Head Start classroom lending libraries and to use during parent reading workshops where they will be utilized during practice read-aloud sessions to reinforce the importance of reading to children.

Maybe you have a shelf in your home or you know someone who is just holding on to children's books? We'd love to have them! Contact Family Literacy program manager Janis Glusman for more information.
VolSpotlight
 
Volunteer Spotlight on Victor Florio

Victor has been an America Reads volunteer since 1998. Each week he tutors at five elementary schools in Delaware County: Aston, Marcus Hook, Coebourn, Pennell and Linwood. Since he began, he has dedicated more than 5,000 hours of his time to helping children develop their reading skills. Additionally, he serves as a mentor to new volunteers that are joining the America Reads program.
Way to go Victor!
  
Success5K 

Our 10th Annual 5K was a Success

More than 300 attendees came out to participate in RSVP's 10th annual Run Wild 5K and 1 Mile Animal Safari Walk held at the Elmwood Park Zoo, helping to raise much-needed funds to support our children's programs             Thank you!
       
 
This family-friendly event combined animal-themed crafts for the children, a special hunt-and-seek Animal Safari walk and story time read by local children's book author Chrysa Smith, creator of the popular series Poodle Posse.

VolNeededMost
Where Volunteers are Needed Most
 
There are many open volunteer opportunities in both Montgomery & Delaware Counties. Our   Help on Call  (helping low-income seniors), America Reads  (children's literacy), Adult Literacy
 and My Free Tutor (virtual tutoring) programs currently need dedicated volunteers.
elder-men-portrait.jpg
To learn more please call Marguerite Cunning at 610-834-1040, x.123 or email at volunteer123@rsvpmc.org. 
 

These opportunities are also available:
Art Teacher at Juvenile Center
Nature Center Educator / Youth Leader
Tax Preparers / Office Work
Drivers or Meal Preparers / Food Pantry Assistant
Guest Services / Event Planning Assistant
Reading Coach / Mentors for Teen Moms
Friendly Visitors / Shoppers & Drivers
Blood Drive Assistant & Blood Drive Transporter
Thrift Shop Helper & Trip Chaperone
To learn more, contact Marguerite Cunning
ExploreWorld
one to one tutoring
Explore a World of Opportunities
   Learn more about Volunteering and Bring a Friend
  
Refer a friend and you could

win a Wawa gift card!
  
 
RSVP Information Sessions help people interested in     volunteering learn about exciting and valued opportunities in their own communities.
 
Presentations provide an overview of RSVP, outlines our various programs and provides an opportunity to discuss assignments in more detail with program coordinators and staff. There's never an obligation to enroll as a volunteer.
 
(Please check website for last minute changes & updates)

December 2 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm  Souderton - Generations of Indian Valley, 529 N. Second St. *Please reserve a spot
                         
December 3 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm   Bala Cynwyd  - Library, 131 Old Lancaster Rd.
                                          
December 10 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Newtown Square Library, 201 Bishop Hollow Rd.

December 14 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Pennsburg Community Thrift, 301 Fourth St.
                                 
December 15 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Media - Municipal Center, 301 N. Jackson St.
*Please reserve a spot.
 
December 17 from10:00 am to 1:00 pm Pottstown - Library - 500 E. High St.

January 7 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm Bala Cynwyd - Library - 131 Old Lancaster Rd. 
 
January 13 from 10:00 am to noon Blue Bell - RSVP Admin Office, 925 Harvest Drive, Suite 100, Blue Bell.
*Please reserve a spot

January 19 from 9:30 to 11:00 am Pottstown - Connections on High Cafe, 238 High St.

January 25 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Pennsburg - Community Thrift, 301 Fourth St.

January 28 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Newtown Square - Library, 201 Bishop Hollow Rd. 
  
February 3 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Eddystone - COSA office, 206 Eddystone Ave, 2nd floor, Eddystone   * Please reserve a spot.

February 4 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm Bala Cynwyd - Library, 131 Old Lancaster Rd.

February 16 from 9:30 to 11:00 am Pottstown - Connections on High Cafe, 238 High St. 

February 23 from 10:00 am to noon Willow Grove - Giant Supermarket, 315 York Road.
*Please reserve a spot.

February 25 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Newtown Square - Library, 201 Bishop Hollow Rd.  
 
February 29 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Pennsburg - Community Thrift, 301 Fourth St.

March 3 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Bala Cynwyd - Library, 131 Old Lancaster Rd.

March 15 from 9:30 to 11:00 am Pottstown - Connections on High Cafe, 238 High St. 
   
March 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm Media - Municipal Center, 301 N. Jackson St.
*Please reserve a spot.

March 29 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Pennsburg  - Community Thrift, 301 Fourth St. 
  
April 6 from 10:00 am to noon Blue Bell
- RSVP Admin Office, 925 Harvest Dr. Suite 100, Blue Bell.
*Please reserve a spot 
     
April 7 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm Bala Cynwyd - Library, 131 Old Lancaster Rd.  
 
April 14 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Newtown Square   - Library, 201 Bishop Hollow Rd.

April 19 from 9:30 to 11:00 am Pottstown - Connections on High Cafe, 238 High St. 
 
April 19 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm Norristown - Public Library, 1001 Powell St.
*Please reserve a spot. 
 
 April 25 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Pennsburg - Community Thrift, 301 Fourth St.

*Where *Please reserve a spot is indicated, it is advised to reserve your space by calling Marguerite Cunning (610) 834-1040, ext. 123 or email volunteer123@rsvpmc.org
.
Other sessions are open and you are free to drop in without an appointment to meet with Margaret Brenner (610) 834-1040, x.12 or email margaretb@rsvpmc.org.  
 

MandatoryRpt

Mandatory Reporting
Do you volunteer with children?

If you volunteer with children, you are now required to report any suspected abuse. You should have received training at RSVP with your program coordinator. If you have not, or if you have any questions, please contact your RSVP coordinator.

Events
Upcoming Events
 Be sure to mark your calendars for these important events.    We look forward to seeing you then -- or anytime! Details to come.
 
Volunteer Recognition  - Montgomery County         April 13, 2016 
Volunteer Recognition - Delaware County                June, 2016 (date TBD)

11th Annual Run Wild 5K                                            October 2, 2016
  
memorialcelebrations

Memorials and Celebrations
We Are Grateful For Your Thoughtfulness  
 
In Memory Of:
Bette Bailey from Clarence Burden   
William C. Yager from Jennifer Goodman
William C. Yager from Peg Hoffner
Jim Meyer from James and Sandra Meyer
 

RSVP - Now Serving Montgomery and Delaware Counties and educationally disadvantaged youth and veterans in Philadelphia
610-834-1040
  PLEASE SUPPORT THE GROWING NEEDS IN OUR COMMUITY