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February and March

RSVP News & Opportunities

MLK Wrap-Up & Impact: Share the Love!

For those RSVP volunteers who showed up and made a difference, thank you for serving the community as part of the Cards & Cocoa events or the Valentine’s Challenge. There were 17 RSVP volunteers involved in the card-making events prior to the large community challenge where 76 volunteers participated. A combined total of just over 2500 cards were made and distributed to older adults in the community through Shepherd’s Centers of Fairfax-Burke, Northern Virginia, and McLean, Arlington and Falls Church as well as APAH, City of Alexandria Division of Aging and Adult Services, Cornerstones, Fellowship Square, Insight Memory Care Center, Mount Vernon at Home, and United Community.

Organizations that received donated cards commented on how lovely they were and what a wonderful job the volunteers did in crafting them. They know that their clients will love getting their cards and that these small acts of kindness and showing love to local neighbors who might be feeling a little lonely has great power and value.

Welcome Wednesday!

Every third Wednesday of the month between 1-3 p.m., RSVP has an open invitation for our volunteers to join us at the office for light refreshments and connection. A small service project or office task that we need extra hands for will also be included.

We are kicking off our Welcome Wednesday initiative next week, February 15, 1 - 3 p.m., with a Powerpack project. Join us as we put together Powerpacks for Food for Others to share with their partner schools. These packs will be distributed to children who need some help to ensure they can eat over the weekend.

If you have not already, please email Karen Coon to let her know if you plan to attend: kcoon@volunteerfairfax.org

Connect and Get Social

This poll is being issued to all of our volunteers, even those that attended the Connect and Get Social Zoom meeting last month with Kathryn Williams. We want to take into account the thoughts and preferences of those that were unable to attend as well as those who did attend.

Your input is important to us as we communicate with you in the new year! Please fill out this poll! If you have questions, please reach out to Kat Williams, at kwilliams@volunteerfairfax.org.

RSVP Rings and Brings in the New Year

Most of us talk about the new year as we move into January, however, the real new year starts when the cycle of life begins again with new growth and new blossoms. Our ancestors celebrated the new year in March, around the time of the vernal equinox, and RSVP is gearing up to embrace this ancient celebration which is on March 20 this year.

What is the cause for RSVP to be celebrating a new year at the end of March? RSVP’s grant cycle ends each year on March 31, and we are excited and energized by all that lies ahead for us as we lean into April and the start of a new grant year. With a full RSVP team in place and a new office to call home, creative planning for post-pandemic programming is underway.

As we continue to iron out the details for our celebration, be sure to mark your calendar for the last week of March; especially put a hold on Friday, March 31. Stay tuned for how RSVP will ring in and bring in our new year as we return to longer days and new beginnings with abundant energy for growth and opportunities.

RSVP Volunteer Shelia Sanford: Volunteering for 25+ Years

Sheila Sanford has been volunteering with Volunteer Fairfax (VF) for as long as she can remember; in fact, she has a button from our 1996 VolunteerFest event! Recently, she shared why she volunteers through VF: “There are so many different options to support the various communities that need volunteers, and I can choose the opportunities in which I am most interested.”

Read the Full Story Here

Share Your Perspective!

We recently became aware of an exciting research study happening across the state called the Virginia Community Engagement Index.

This study, being conducted throughout the month of February on behalf of the Virginia Service Commission, will measure:

How and why Virginians give back to their communities through service, volunteerism, and even those often-uncounted everyday acts of kindness;
How these actions benefit our communities;
What challenges our communities face;
How Virginians feel we should meet those challenges;
How Virginians expect their employers to engage in their communities; and
Much more!

If you’re interested in helping to make it easier, more rewarding, and more effective to give of your time, talents, and treasure, take a few minutes to complete this survey and let your voice be heard!

Click here to learn more and take the survey!

Click Here

Annual RSVP Nothern Virginia Volunteer Update

Please fill out this quick form with your updated information by February 15 ^th !

Thank you to those of you who have filled out this update form already. Karen will be reaching out to those of you we haven’t heard from to ensure we have the most updated information for you in our system.

As you fill out this information, we get access to quick snapshots of information like the chart below that shows where our volunteers are volunteering!

Timesheets

Thank you all for making the shift to the updated timesheet as we move into the new year! If you still need access to the updated version, you can find it here.

Reach out to Karen Coon with any questions: kcoon@volunteerfairfax.org or 703-403-5360

RSVP Virtual Information Session for NEW AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers

Is there a friend, neighbor, or family member, age 55+, with whom we can share the impact that RSVP volunteers have on the community and encourage their participation with us?

Be sure to promote the next new volunteer information sessions scheduled as follows:

RSVP-Northern Virginia is sponsored by Volunteer Fairfax

in partnership with Volunteer Arlington and Volunteer Alexandria.

RSVP-Northern Virginia is a program of AmeriCorps Seniors.