RSVP Reflections

Retired & Senior Volunteer 55+ Program

monthly newsletter - March, 2023

Volunteers meeting needs in Wisconsin

Thank you to AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who raise their hands to help when the need arises!

AmeriCorps Week is March 12-18

This year's theme is “United We Serve.” Service brings people together and bridges divides, and national service provides opportunities for Americans to address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities and strengthen civic engagement. 

These are the facts: 

• Last year, more than 7,900 Americans of all ages and backgrounds united to meet local needs, strengthen communities and expand opportunity through national service in Wisconsin.  
• AmeriCorps invested more than $20.8 million in federal funding to support cost-effective community solutions, working hand in hand with local partners to empower individuals to help communities tackle their toughest challenges. 

AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers: 

• Prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs 
• Help communities and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic 
• Connect veterans to services 
• Help seniors live independently 
• Rebuild communities after disasters 
• Lead conservation and climate change efforts 

Thank you to AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who served at more than 900 locations across Wisconsin, including schools, food banks, homeless shelters, veterans facilities and other nonprofit organizations. AmeriCorps and its partners generated more than $10.8 million in outside resources from businesses, foundations, public agencies and other sources in Wisconsin last year. This local support strengthened community impact and increased the return on taxpayer dollars. 

Volunteering feels good! Check out this brief video.

SAVE THE DATE!

RSVP Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon 

Mark your calendars for this year’s RSVP volunteer appreciation luncheon on Friday, May 19, at the Grand Meridian in Appleton.  

Join us for food and fellowship as we celebrate volunteers! More details coming soon. 

Station Spotlight: Loaves and Fishes of the Fox Valley

Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley, Inc. is committed to providing free nutritious evening meals to anyone in need, in a safe and welcoming environment.

Community meals are served at St. Therese Activity Center (213 E. Wisconsin Ave., Appleton) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights from 5-6 p.m. Guests can take the meal to go or eat in the dining room.

Volunteers can choose how often they would like to help out. Hours are either from 3-4 p.m. for boxing and bagging “to go” meals or from 5-6 p.m. for meal distribution.

To volunteer or for questions on volunteering, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Sue Danreiter at staff@loavesandfishesfv.org or call 920-750-0964.

Diet and distress are closer than a few letters 

Healthy food can be good for both your body and mood. Believe it or not, you actually can improve the way you feel emotionally by making smart choices at the grocery store. Jennifer Footit-Tank RN BSN, quality care coordinator at Network Health, explains how this works. Read more.

Budget-friendly alternatives to biologic medications

Biologic medications can be expensive for consumers, but biosimilars can offer an effective and affordable alternative. Andy Wheaton PharmD., director of pharmacy benefits at Network Health, explains what you need to know about biosimilar drugs and how to get them from your pharmacy. Read more.

Elder Justice Corner

A message on medical identity theft 

Medical identity theft is when someone steals or uses your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number, or Medicare number, to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health insurers without your authorization. They may use your information to get medical care, prescription drugs, or have surgery performed. 

Medical identity theft can disrupt your medical care, cause a loss of benefits and may even cost you your life. You should keep your medical documents and insurance information in a safe place to protect your personal information. 

Do not give your medical information to someone who calls, emails or texts you unexpectedly. 

If you suspect medical identity theft you should: 

1. File a report at Identity Theft.gov. 

2. File a police report with your local law enforcement agency, 

3. Request copies of your medical records and report errors 

4. get copies of your credit report  and set up fraud alerts/credit freeze. 

This year, Volunteer Fox Cities is celebrating 30 years of connecting nonprofits, corporations and small businesses with volunteers to help them meet their missions!

Volunteer Opportunities

Pillars Adult Shelter: Is seeking volunteers for donation intake assistance; date and rotate donations, including non-perishable food donations; prepare bagged lunches for clients working the following day; serve worker’s trays (leftovers) for clients that arrive after work or appointments; and assist with shelter and client laundry. Choose a 2-hr. (minimum) shift between 5-10 p.m. Contact Caitlin at cwheeler@pillarsinc.org or 920-734-9192, ext. 125. 

Riverview Gardens: Is seeking hoop house helpers for tilling/prepping beds, harvesting, weeding, and implementing organic-integrated pest management practices to reduce pest damage anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday. Tools and kneeling pads are provided. Orientations are at 1 p.m. on Thursdays each week. Contact Stacey at 920-202-1430 or info@riverviewgardens.org.

Community Clothes Closet: Is seeking donation desk attendants from 9 a.m. to

1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to greet donors, answer donor questions, help fill out donation receipts and assist clothing donors unload donations from their vehicles. Volunteers must be comfortable standing frequently and lifting up to 40 pounds You also may be asked to help sort socks and jewelry and size undergarments. To apply, contact Andrea at 920-731-7834.

Help keep seniors in their homes: Make the Ride Happen is seeking volunteers to provide transportation to older adults during the week so they can get to essential services, such as the grocery store, pharmacy, dentist and medical appointments. Drivers are eligible to receive $.31/mile during their route. You choose when you would like to drive. Contact Jan at 920-832-9360 or rsvp@volunteerfoxcities.org.

Community Child Care Center: Is seeking creative sewers to create character vests or superhero capes that children wear during dress-up activities at this Kimberly childcare center. All materials will be provided. Contact Karyn at 920-788-8740 or childcarecommunity@att.net. 

Poverty simulation project seeks participants and volunteers

Memorial Presbyterian Church, 803 E. College Ave., Appleton, is working with CAP Services to provide a poverty simulation and you are invited to help make it successful!

What: The Community Action Poverty Simulation is a profoundly moving experience. It moves people to think about the harsh realities of poverty and to talk about how communities can address the problem. Most importantly, it moves people to make a difference. 

When: Sunday, April 16, at Memorial Presbyterian Church. The simulation will run 1-3 p.m., with debriefing and a social to follow. 

Who: The simulation is open to the community and is designed to accommodate up to 80 individuals. Participants must be 18 years old. We need a minimum of 20 volunteers and 40 participants to hold the simulation. Click on the words participate and volunteer below to find out more about the role you are interested in.

Cost: This event is free. CAP Services is coordinating the event. 

How can I help?  

• Share this information with your friends, especially those who are interested in social issues. Even those who have experienced the simulation before, learn new information by participating again. 

• Sign up to participate to walk a month in the shoes of someone who is facing poverty and realize how complex and interconnected issues of poverty really are. 

• Sign up to volunteer to play one of the roles of resource providers in the community. Training prior to the event is provided. Those who have experienced poverty are encouraged to participate. MPC also needs extra hands for the logistics of the event, such as signing-in participants, traffic control, beverage and food handlers and other tasks. 

Please Note: While this not an RSVP service activity and cannot be counted toward RSVP service hours, this is a great opportunity to participate in a

one-of-a-kind experience.

Happy birthday to volunteers celebrating in April!