RSVP of Dane County's mission is to make a positive impact in the community by recruiting volunteers 55 and older to help deliver priority services to people of all ages, providing Dane County with a valuable resource.
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Intergenerational Volunteer's Dedication is Inspirational
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Intergenerational volunteer Ann Gordon-Walker has been an RSVP volunteer for 17 years, and in that time has clocked 585 hours! After retirement from UW-Madison, where she was a scientist, she took only a few months off before she started volunteering in Madison schools.
Ann is a literacy tutor at Muir Elementary School in Madison for Ms. Desjardins where she helps students one-on-one with reading by assisting them with unfamiliar words they are struggling with. While in the classroom, she tries to reach each of the students, letting them know that she notices every one of them.
"Ann truly has a heart for kids!" Ms. Desjardins shared. "Her bubbly personality adds a dose of joy and levity to our classroom. The students love time spent reading with Ann as she is so engaged as they read together. She shares personal anecdotes and her vast life experiences, making stories come to life. Ann often shares about her world travels and her childhood in England. Once, when my students were learning spool knitting, she unearthed a darling spool knitter she used as a child, the students were fascinated. She is so loved and so lovely." What a great testament to how greatly appreciated Intergenerational volunteers are to a classroom.
If you are near retirement, keep Ann's schedule in mind and you too will have fulfilling weeks to look forward to: Ann's family does not live near her so she fills her days with volunteering, teaching/participating in PLATO classes, and enjoys going to the American Players Theatre. If you were to talk with Ann she would tell you to 'volunteer!'
Please contact Laura Mikkelson Intergenerational Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or 608-441-7894 if you're interested in learning more or to sign up to become an Intergenerational volunteer.
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Madison Rotary Grant for
Foster Grandparent Program
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The Foster Grandparent program would like to thank the Madison Rotary Foundation for their 2018 grant which allowed us the opportunity to donate books to three of the ReachDane HeadStart Centers.
We enjoyed being able to hand the books out to children, because the Foster Grandparent Program focuses on education and instilling a love of learning.
Foster Grandparents are able to work one-on-one to create a bond with students who need that extra assistance. Students learn that the Foster Grandparent, who must put in a minimum of five hours each week, will be someone they can count on to be present almost daily in their lives.
It is a win win for the student and Foster Grandparent, because it has been shown that by the end of the year the student has improved academically and the Foster Grandparent reports being healthier, happier and feels part of a community.
If you qualify as a low-income senior, and would like to receive a tax-free stipend and be reimbursed for lunch and travel expenses while making a difference for your community, please contact Laura Mikkelson at [email protected] or 608-441-7894.
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Bus Buddy Program Announces 2019 Tour
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The Bus Buddy Tours Program, with funding from Dane County Human Services and AAA, offers seniors the opportunity to ride along with other participants on the bus to designated locations.
The program is designed to teach seniors, age 60 and older, how to navigate the Madison Metro Bus System, while experiencing a fun social group outing
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In
May, Bus Buddy Tours
will kick off its 2019 season, offering 5 fun-filled trips to local points of interest.
Please see the schedule below for dates and locations. Each participant will receive a Bus Buddy t-shirt, a 10-ride bus pass, and Madison Metro Bus Ride Guide.
May 29 - Monona Terrace Mindful Meditation at 12 noon
Enjoy scenic Monona Terrace and experience a brief class in mindful m
editation followed by a snack at the Farmer's Market.
June 26 - The Bubbler at Madison Public Library at 10:30
Enjoy participating in a hands on project at the Bubbler Room, f
ollowed by lunch at Parthenon Gyro restaurant.
July 24 - Senior Day at Madison Mallard's Baseball at 11:30
Come experience all the fun of a Madison Mallard's Baseball game.
Game starts at 12:05.
August 20 - Point Cinema at 10:30
Enjoy a blockbuster movie and some popcorn at Point Cinema
September 24 - Lane's Bakery and UW Space Place at 9:30
Learn about the stars, constellations and planets on a tour of UW Space Place. Enjoy coffee and pastry at Lane's Bakery, followed by a tour of UW Space Place.
October 23 - End of Season lunch at RSVP at 11:30
Enjoy lunch as you listen to a guest speaker from Madison Metro Bus and
information about Med Lock Boxes, with a Med Lock Box give-away!
For more information or to reserve your spot on an upcoming trip, please call Jan Karst at 441-7891 or [email protected] or Diana Jost at 441-1393 or [email protected].
This program is funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration as authorized Under 49 U.S.C. 5310 Mobility Options of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (CFDA 20.521).
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Thanks to our major Sponsors
MGE and
Ho-Chunk Nation
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2019 Sweepstakes Gift Card: Your Prize is in the Cards!
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Watch your mail or visit our website in May for entry forms and information:
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Important Dates
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RSVP Office Closed:
Mon., May 27
Memorial Day
Thurs., July 4
Independence Day
Mon., September 2
Labor Day
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Triad Events
West Madison:
Spring Cleaning/Recycling Rules/Roll Out Program
Wed., May 29
10:00 a.m.
Speaker Officer Tyler Grigg
Mid-Town Police District,
4020 Mineral Point, Madison
Travel Safety
Wed., June 26
10:00 a.m.
Speaker Ed Mani, Burkhalter Travel
6501 Mineral Point Rd., Madison
Cottage Grove Triad:
Don't Make Yourself an Easy Target: Self-Defense for Seniors
Tues., May 21
10:00 a.m.
Speaker Randy Beck and Justin,
USA Karate 107 E. Reynolds St., Cottage Grove
Traffic Laws/Driving: (The effect of prescription drugs on driving)
Tues., June 18
10:00 a.m.
Speaker Deputy Mueller,
Dane County Sheriff's Office
107 E. Reynolds St., Cottage Grove
Verona Triad:
Appreciating Our Diversity
to Reduce Conflict
Thurs., June 27
10:30 a.m.
Speaker Angela Velasquez, Dane County Area Agency on Aging 108
Paoli St., Verona
Save the Date:
Triad Annual Conference
Fri., September 27
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
American Family Insurance
Training Center, Madison
For more information about Triad, contact
Mary Stamstad at
Visit RSVP at Walgreens'
Senior Discount Days
RSVP distributes File of Life packets & other info at Walgreens each month. Stop by to
enjoy the senior discount!
June 4
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Verona Rd. & Cottage Grove Rd.
Walgreens
August 6
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Northport & Mineral Point Rd.
Walgreens
September 3
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
S. Park St. & Raymond Rd.
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Volunteer Now!
Current Opportunities
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