Summer 2020 Newsletter

  901 E. 8th Avenue, Ste 200
   King of Prussia, PA 19406
       (610) 834-1040                                       www.rsvpmc.org            
Table of Contents
Greetings,
 
In a matter of weeks our worlds have all been turned upside down. For those of us still working -- or able to work from home -- our days are filled with the challenges posed by technology and balancing home-schooling or home-life with professional obligations. Many have either been furloughed or lost jobs and are dealing with the uncertainty and stress of insecurity. We have all been isolated from our families, friends and co-workers and long for connection.   
 
Connection is at the core of everything we do and we realize how critical staying in touch is now.   
 
Hopefully, you were able to speak to one of our Board Members as they were making friendly calls to our volunteers.  If you need assistance with grocery shopping or medication delivery, please reach out to our Community Hotline 610-834-1040 x.208 and we will try to match you with a volunteer or service. If you would just like to touch base, please reach out to your coordinator. 
 
Our staff has been working from home since mid-March. We have been able to adapt operations and how we deliver programs so that no volunteer is put in harm's way.  We have met this disruption and challenge head-on with creativity and a drive to stay connected with volunteers and the community members who depend on our services now more than ever.  
    
We will get through this together. Stay safe, stay well and stay connected.

With gratitude and appreciation,
Michele Moll 
   

Join Our Team of 1,200 Dedicated Volunteers   
PLUS 500 New Volunteers who signed up during the COVID-19 pandemic 
610-834-1040 x.123 www.rsvpmc.org 
 
SavetheDates
RSVP Happenings

Are You in Need of Food?

The MontCo Anti-Hunger Network in collaboration with MontCo Department of Public Safety and RSVP will be distributing food boxes to those in need. 

Events will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm:

June 18 Willow Grove Mall 

June 4, June 11, June 25 and July 2 Oaks Expo Center

check the link for additional info


We are also in need of volunteers to help with distribution for the upcoming dates. Please contact [email protected] if you can help those in need.  Thank you!

For additional information, click on image below or visit https://www.montcoantihunger.org/


 

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Tutoring During the Pandemic

It has been extremely difficult for some students to transition to learning at home. Through a partnership with United Way and Vello we plan to offer summer reading coaches via an online program to help students avoid academic setbacks.

Introducing Virtual Reading Mentors


Our new virtual opportunity will pair a reading volunteers with a student to improve their literacy skills online.

Virtual Reading Mentors is an innovative, 1:1 tutoring program from Vello and United Way that matches a tutor with a first to third-grade student  for guided reading support.

Volunteers tutor a student in reading through a safe and secure digital setting.  Together, students and tutors read e-books using super simple screen sharing and audio. You can even reward the student with a "virtual" star for a job well done!

These 20 minute sessions can be conducted from any computer, tablet or smart phone. 

Summer sessions will be scheduled in the coming weeks and volunteers who are signed up will be contacted and scheduled.

 
  A program of United Way presented by Wells Fargo   
 
 
 
 
 
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We are so Lucky

These extremely talented sewing artists are making beautiful and functional face masks for community members. 
From their hands with love!

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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 over the summer months.  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.
Our Volunteers are Changing Lives

Since mid-March we have recruited
500+ 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 area seniors secure groceries or medications or by delivering warm meals. 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! 
 

SaveTheseDatesEvents
 We hope you will participate in these exciting events.
Watch for your invitations   
 

SAVE the DATES
 
July 21, 2020
RiverCrest Golf Club
Phoenixville
Join us for our 3rd Annual Golf Classic. 
Although this year will look a little different from past years, we are planning to hold our event, without the dinner, of course. Each golfer will have their own golf cart and will receive a packaged gourmet lunch to enjoy along with some cold brews.  Watch for fun challenges at a variety of holes.
All golf proceeds will support our COVID-19 response programs and recovery efforts. 


We look forward to seeing you soon!
Contact Bill to join the mailing list
 
   Sponsorships are available. It's a great way to promote your business
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Run to Smash the Virus Pandemic 5K 
 
 Sign up for our 1st Virtual 5K.
 
Register via an app that will track your distance. Select a date between August 1 and 23 and choose your own path - sandy shore, forest trail, favorite park  or race track - you choose. Don't forget the social distancing.   
Share your results on your personal Facebook page by tagging @RSVP,Inc. Put your headphones on and Run to Smash the Virus Pandemic.
Check our website for details as we move forward or contact [email protected] 
 
 All race fees will support our COVID-19 response programs and recovery efforts. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We usua lly host our Volunteer Recognition Luncheons each spring but this year poses challenges that we are working to plan around. We will not be hosting gatherings of large groups but we would like to host a fun event that you can participate in from home.  Please be patient  
   

GetToKnowUs
A Simple Act of Kindness
Forget-Me-Nots, a part of Aberdeen Kennels, is a local animal rescue group. They recently helped an RSVP Help on Call client by donating a bag of dog chow for his beloved pet when he had run out and had no money to purchase more.   
Thank you for your generosity Forget-Me-Nots!



VolOps
Volunteer Opportunities

What's on your horizon?
 
Raffle lower left
                  
Whether you are new to volunteering, already a seasoned volunteer
or looking for a fun activity,  
we still need dedicated volunteers 
 
 
Information Sessions have been suspended until it safe to meet as a group again.
 
 
 
   
Where Volunteers are Needed Most    
 
Interested? Please contact us. 
  • Mass Food Distribution: carry food to cars, traffic marshalls  
  • Food pantry support
  • Meal prep/pack/distribution
  •   Sorting and packing food

  •  Grocery shopping and deliveries

  • Drivers - pick up & deliver produce

  • Medical Reserve Corps

  • Gardening: tending and picking fruit & veggies to be donated to food pantries

  •  Sewing face masks

  • Virtual math tutors

  • STEM and other career exploration presenters

  • Meals-on-Wheels drivers and food packers

  • Medicare Counselors

  • Friendly phone calls to seniors

  • Write notes to seniors & healthcare workers

  • Blood donors
 
Call Kathy Stocker, Volunteer Coordinator 610-834-1040 ext. 123
or email [email protected]  
 
 
 



CommNewsRes
Community News and Resources

   
   
Medicare Questions? We are here to help!    
Call us 610-834-1040 x.120 
   
 The APPRISE volunteers would like to remind everyone that they continue to be available to counsel those with questions about Medicare.   Also, if your income has changed due to the COVID-19 situation there may be financial assistance available for prescription costs.  Please call 610-834-1040 ext 120 to arrange a telephone counseling session.
 

 We are proud to announce that we have received the Collaboration BRAVO Award from PA Department of Aging.  The BRAVO Awards honor local APPRISE program coordinators and counselors for their exceptional work in areas of customer service, program performance, collaboration with community partners and innovation.   
 
Craig Soloff, an RSVP APPRISE counselor, spearheaded an outreach project to communicate current Medicare information with the underserved Korean population. Through collaboration with the 21st Century America-Korea-China Leaders Society,  materials were translated, distributed and promoted.  
 
 



Congratulations Craig Soloff.
Bravo Awardee for Collaboration - honored for efforts to broaden community partnership





The Interagency Council of Norristown shared this great resource
Image may contain: text




Blood and platelet donations
are always in demand

I t's never more critical than when someone you love needs blood or platelets that are not available. 

MemorialCeleb
Memorials and Celebrations
& Additional Ways to Support RSVP


Celebrating a birthday or special occasion this year?
Have you considered a Facebook Fundraiser to support our important community-based programs?
 
    
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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Connect
Connect With Us
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! 

 
  Please Help us Spread the
Love!  
 
 
Share the Inspiring Stories 
About Our Volunteers 
   With Your "Friends"



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Meet Our Sponsors

901 E. 8th Avenue
Suite 200
King of Prussia, PA 19406
610-834-1040    www.rsvpmc.org
 
Responding to Community Needs Through Volunteerism! 
Serving Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties and educationally disadvantaged children, youth and veterans in Philadelphia.

            
Please help us keep our critical programs running.   
Support the growing needs in our communities.



Does your company participate in a United Way Campaign?  Please consider designating RSVP for your gift. United Way Donor #1993


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