Spring 2021 Newsletter
901 E. 8th Avenue, Ste 200 King of Prussia, PA 19406
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Greetings,
Almost exactly one year ago, things changed drastically for everyone. When I reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude and awe.
RSVP was able to adapt. And, we were able to help so many in our community as they worked hard to persevere.
The services, programs, and support we offer to students, families, veterans and seniors are needed now more than ever.
To our volunteers, staff, and board -- thank you!
Everyone has worked so incredibly hard over the past year. As challenges have presented themselves, we worked together to brainstorm and implement innovative and responsive solutions.
To our many partners and donors, thank you for your support.
RSVP has been able to completely adapt operations and navigate uncharted territory because of the resources YOU provided.
Just one example of this is our newly launched Senior Technology Training Program, helping seniors learn how to use the internet, email, zoom, grocery shop online, access tele-health, remotely volunteer, and more. This evidence based program was developed in response to a major need in our community. We are welcoming both participants and volunteers interested in being trainers for this program. To learn more about this program, click here:
So many are being helped - because of YOU.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
With Gratitude,
Michele Moll
Executive Director
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Join Our Team of 1,200 Dedicated Volunteers
PLUS 800+ New Volunteers who signed up during the COVID-19 pandemic
610-834-1040 x.123 www.rsvpmc.org
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RSVP Happenings
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We are extremely happy to announce the addition of five new Board Members whose expertise and passion for our mission will allow us to excel during this difficult year of transition and change.
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|  | Dr. Wesley Moy
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Dr. Wesley Moy is a retired Army Colonel from the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. He has served with the Defense Intelligence Agency in Cambodia and as a senior analyst in the Defense Counterterrorism Agency. As a civilian, Dr. Moy spent two decades in financial services and has been a volunteer at the U.S. Naval Academy.
"I joined the RSVP board because of their focus on the community and addressing multiple needs. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the disproportionate impacts to vulnerable populations." |
| | Kearline Jones |
Kearline Jones is currently a Health Plans Partner, VP Government Affairs. She offers a broad spectrum of knowledge in many areas of need addressed by RSVP programs through her career in executive management in healthcare, health law, and government affairs.
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| | | Mike Dell | |
Michael Dell is VP of Commercial lending at Univest. He brings expertise in finance and banking as well as relationship building. As an alumnus of West Chester University, Mike is a member of the WCU Athletic Hall of Fame and has served the greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee.
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| | Rachel Sherman-Presser
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Rachel Sherman-Presser joins RSVP's Board adding her experience in program coordination, system and process improvement, and skill in executive management.
"I am thrilled to be joining RSVP's Board of Directors because I am passionate about RSVP's vision to improve the education and wellness of vulnerable populations. I cannot wait to get started!"
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Gita Srinivasan
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Gita joins RSVP from J&J, where she has 20 years' experience in the IT group, planning, managing and delivering complex Global programs in various business initiatives and in the Acquisitions and Divestitures space. She has a strong passion towards education, training and mentoring and believes in giving back to the community. She enjoys wearing many hats and thrives in an environment where critical analysis and out of the box thinking are needed to solve issues. She is also a people person and
enjoys collaborating with others to craft innovative solutions.
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We would like to congratulate these dedicated volunteers who reached their 20 Year Anniversary in 2020 or will reach this amazing landmark in 2021
Ralph Bozorth Gerald A. Francis Esther J. Gushner Betty Latini Joan A. Leihe Agnes L. Palena
Mary Lou Reich Generose Scheidt
Alfred Toizer
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Our Newest Program
Senior Technology Training
We are looking for volunteers who can provide online training for older adults to learn to use email, the internet, Zoom, and social media so they can connect with friends and family and ease the feeling of isolation.
Volunteers should be comfortable using computers (Android Tablets especially), apps, the internet and mobile devices.
Approximately 3 hours per week and a computer with a camera and microphone will be needed.
A library of online technology training courses are provided.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer, contact Kathy Stocker 610-834-1040 x.129
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Our Volunteers are Changing Lives
Since mid-March 2020 we have recruited
814+ new volunteers.
We are astounded by the spirit of generosity and caring felt by people from every corner of the country who contacted us to help in any way they could.
Many volunteered for our virtual programs to help children read, or to help veterans with math or to record their STEM careers to inspire students. Others volunteered to help local seniors secure groceries or medications or by delivering warm meals. Many volunteered at food distribution events and at food pantries. And others sewed the most perfect face masks to help keep us all safe.
You are making this world a better place because you care and we thank you!
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Meet our Partner Agency
Chester County OIC is a nonprofit organization serving Chester County by providing FREE adult basic literacy education and life skills programs that prepare individuals for employment and economic self-sufficiency. In operation since 1979, CCOIC helps over 800 adults per year.
The Adult Tutoring Program utilizes volunteers who are willing to work with an adult student seeking to learn English as a second language, study for the GED exam or improve basic literacy.
A 4-year college degree is required to tutor, but a teaching background is not needed. Tutor training is offered online by the PA Department of Education. Tutors are asked to meet with their student 3 hours per week, usually done in two one-and-a-half hour sessions. Tutor pairs are working virtually right now via Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp or other platform.
CC-OIC recently had three tutors from RSVP join the program. Cindy is working with Sofia, who is from Mexico. Her goal is to improve her English so that she can get a better job.
Theresa is working with a young woman named Sydney on earning her GED. Sydney recently passed one of the four sections and they are now working on the Science unit.
Yaela started working with Paula at the beginning of February. Paula is from Brazil where she worked as a Pharmacist. She would like to improve her English so that she can get her certification here as well as obtain citizenship.
"We are very grateful to have these wonderful volunteers in our program"stated Debbie Rikess from CC-OIC.
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Congratulations to Garden of Health Food Bank for receiving the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County's Community Organization Award
Founded in 2015, Garden of Health sources fresh produce and foods free of the top eight allergens and distribute to food pantries, low-income senior housing and community groups in Montgomery and Bucks Counties in Pennsylvania.
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Do you have an interesting career?
We are in the process of creating a library of career presentations that teachers can access to provide their students with inspiration and hope. If you have a career in any of the STEM fields, the arts or trades, we would love to create a zoom recording of your journey. Please contact Janet Murphy to learn more. |
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Is it July yet? 
We hope to see you at our upcoming Golf Classic
on July 20,2021
Registration begins at 10:00 AM Lunch & Shotgun Tee-Off at 11:00 AM
Enjoy a gourmet box lunch and ice-cold beverages along the course.
Spend the day on RiverCrest's private course and show your support for our virtual programs.
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Our Spring 2021 Workshop Series focuses on
Taking Charge of your future
Three dynamic virtual sessions include:
Engaging Volunteers and Keeping them Engaged on March 24
Exploring Sustained Collaboration
Success Depends on You! WHY and HOW to Measure Program Effectiveness
All Sessions will be 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
VEC is Grateful for these Sponsors
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Whether you are new to volunteering, already a seasoned volunteer
or looking for a fun activity,
we ALWAYS need dedicated volunteers
Information Sessions have been suspended until it safe to meet as a group again.
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Where Volunteers are Needed Most
The majority of our programs are now virtual so that volunteers can help from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
- COVID Vaccine Registration Hotline Staff**
- In collaboration with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, volunteers will staff the hotline to register the public for their vaccine doses. This urgent role will ensure the health and safety of local residents. Volunteers must have a laptop or desktop computer and a phone (cell or landline). Staffing is needed Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM with volunteers scheduled for one-hour shifts. Training will be provided.
- Grocery shopping and delivery*
- Drivers for seniors*
- Virtual math tutors*
- Meals-on-Wheels drivers*
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Food pantry support*
- Technology Training for Older Adults*
- Zoom video editor
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Meal prep/pack/distribution/driving
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Sorting and packing food
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Drivers - pick up & deliver produce
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Medical Reserve Corps
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Gardening: prepare gardens and beds for spring planting, plant spring veggies
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Sewing face masks
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STEM and other career exploration presenters
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Medicare Counselors
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Friendly phone calls to seniors
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Write notes to seniors & healthcare workers
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Blood donors & site greeters
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Translators (Spanish & Arabic)
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Database input
* High Need Opportunities
Call Kathy Stocker, Volunteer Coordinator 610-834-1040 ext. 123
Safety protocols are in place for volunteer roles requiring contact
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Community News and Resources
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Important COVID-19 Information
for Pennsylvania Residents
Montgomery County Information HERE
(833) 875-3967
Chester County Information HERE
(610) 344-6640 or (610) 344-6350
Delaware County Information HERE
(833) 643-1715
Additional Information can be found HERE
or (877) 724-3258
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Medicare Questions? We are here to help!
Call us 610-834-1040 x.120
Get Medicare information in an accessible format
Just as there are many types of people with Medicare, there are many ways for you to get information about our program. Did you know you have the right to get Medicare information in an accessible format, like Braille, large print, data/audio files, relay services and TTY communications?
While our print publications and Medicare.gov website are always available, we can also send you, upon request, Medicare information for free in accessible formats. Don't worry if you ask us for information in an accessible format and it takes a while to fulfill your request, you'll get extra time to take action.
If you want Medicare information in an accessible format, you can:
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
- Email us at altformatrequest@cms.hhs.gov.
- Send us a fax at 1-844-530-3676.
- Mail a letter to: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Offices of Hearings and Inquiries (OHI), 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S1-13-25, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Attn: Customer Accessibility Resource Staff
For the best response, when you contact us, please give:
- Your name
- Phone number
- Type of information you need (if you know it)
- The mailing address where you want us to send the materials.
We may contact you for additional information.
If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D), contact your plan to ask them to send you their Medicare information in an accessible format. If you're enrolled in Medicaid, contact your State or local Medicaid office.
We thank your dedicated APPRISE volunteers for their tireless dedication to informing the public about Medicare health insurance options.
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Montgomery County
APPRISE Medicare counselors are still here and available to help with your Medicare needs
Pennsylvania offers the APPRISE Program, a free health insurance counseling program using state trained volunteers to provide objective, easy-to-understand information about health insurance options to Medicare beneficiaries and to those just becoming eligible for Medicare.
Just call 610-834-1040 ext 120 to leave a message. Counselors will return your call and provide you with information about all the different Medicare options as well as whether there are any financial assistance programs that can save you money.
If you would like to learn about Medicare before you call APPRISE, a great website to explore is www.rsvpmc.org/medicare-help, the Montgomery County APPRISE Medicare Help website. There you will find easy-to-understand videos on Medicare Basics (Medicare 101), How to Enroll in Medicare and other topics pertaining to help with Medicare and prescription expenses. There is even an Online Toolkit that provides a Medicare Preventative Benefits checklist you can discuss with your doctor.
So, talk to an APPRISE counselor about your Medicare questions and concerns. You can call (610) 834-1040 ext 120, schedule a Zoom session, or visit www.rsvpmc.org/medicare-help for APPRISE in Montgomery County.
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Delaware County
APPRISE@scs-delco.org
(484) 494-3769
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Chester County
Contact the Chester County Department of Aging Services
at (610) 344-5004.
Leave your name, phone number and a short message and a counselor will return your call.
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Tax Information
The IRS is allowing a $300 charitable deduction for individuals or couples for 2020, even if you do not itemize deductions.
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In Delaware County?
Stay ahead of storm or other alerts by receiving an alert on your phone or email.
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Blood and platelet donations
are always in demand
It's never more critical than when someone you love needs blood or platelets that are not available.
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Memorials and Celebrations
& Additional Ways to Support RSVP
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Celebrating a birthday or special occasion this year?
Have you considered a Facebook Fundraiser to support our important community-based programs?
Our dedicated Board Member Dena Hartigan celebrated her birthday this year by raising funds for RSVP programs. Thank you Dena and Happy Birthday!
You can ask your Facebook friends to honor your birthday or any special occasion by asking them to donate to your special cause.
It's easy! - On YOUR Facebook page, select "Fundraiser" from the left side menu
- Then select "raise money for a nonprofit organization"
- Select "RSVP, Inc." in King of Prussia, PA from the list
- Complete the rest of the questions, and you are ready to go!
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We are always happy to receive gift cards you may no longer need or want. These could be re-gifted to clients in need or leveraged to raise funding for our programming. Please mail gift cards to RSVP, 901 E. 8th Avenue, Suite 200, King of Prussia, PA 19406, Attn: Tony Giunta
Your generosity is so appreciated!
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Connect With Us
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Do you shop on Amazon?
If you do, here's a simple way to show your support for RSVP programs.
By shopping through www.Smile.Amazon.com and designating RSVP of Montgomery County as your charity of choice, a portion of your sales are donated to us.
Thank you!
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Love!
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About Our Volunteers
With Your "Friends"
Help us Reach 725 Likes
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Responding to Community Needs Through Volunteerism!
Serving Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties and educationally disadvantaged children, youth and veterans in Philadelphia.
Make a donation to support RSVP's critical programs
and services!
Your gift, big or small, will have an incredible impact in our community TODAY!
Does your company participate in a United Way Campaign? Please consider designating RSVP for your gift. United Way Donor #1993
901 E. 8th Avenue
Suite 200
King of Prussia, PA 19406
610-834-1040 www.rsvpmc.org
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