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What is RSVP?

RSVP is one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation. In providing “one-stop shopping” to individuals looking to give back to their communities, RSVP volunteers enjoy maximum flexibility in choosing how and where they want to serve and for how many hours.

What is RSVP of Chemung County?

Mission Statement

  To provide volunteer service to meet community needs;
To enable persons 55 years of age or older to actively participate in the life of their community through volunteer service;
Thus enhancing the lives of the volunteers and the community.

As part of the national program, RSVP of Chemung County strives to match volunteer skills and interests with volunteer opportunities throughout the County. In partnering with private non-profit, public, and proprietary health organizations, we can offer a wide array of options to those willing to share their time and talents.

RSVP Volunteers make a positive impact!

Because of RSVP volunteers:

  • seniors have greater independence, and can safely remain in their homes to access needed services
  • people of all ages have better nutrition
  • people are healthier since they can access programs to delay the onset of osteoporosis or to prevent colorectal cancer
  • children improve their reading skills
  • adults overcome literacy obstacles
  • we have a more informed, active community
... and the list goes on and on.

Last year, 995 RSVP volunteers contributed more than 144,440 hours through 121 partnering agencies.

RSVP Advisory Council

RSVP of Chemung County Advisory Council members are program advocates. Membership includes RSVP volunteers, community and business leaders, representatives from public and private human services agencies, and specialists in volunteerism and aging. Officers and Members for 2012 are:


Jeff Barlow, Family Services
Robert Bly, Chemung County Veterans' Affairs
Gerry Brown, RSVP Volunteer
Caryl Cavalier, Compeer
Rev. David Daniels, Clergy
Sam David, Director, Chemung County Dept. of Aging and Long Term Care
Lynn Dates, Cornell Cooperative Extension Liaison
Chair - Mark Edgerly, Elmira Psychiatric Center
Andy Fagan, Cornell Cooperative Extension Director
Vice Chair - Kathy Gray, St. Joseph's Hospital
James Hackett, RSVP Volunteer
Nellie Jennings, RSVP Volunteer
Richard Kuhn, AARP
Ralph Marino Jr., Horseheads Central School District
Betsy Morrisey, American Red Cross
Margaret Strumpf, RSVP Volunteer
Treasurer - Millie Swan, RSVP Volunteer
Livia Trexler, RSVP Volunteer
Evelyn Williams, RSVP Volunteer (EOP)

RSVP Staff

Carol Houssock, Director
Connie T. Shelford, Special Programs Coordinator
Mary-Lynn Rourke, Volunteer Coordinator
April Semel, Accounts/Information Assistant
Chet Coddington, Transportation Coordinator
Stephen Pitcher, Van Driver

Sponsor

RSVP is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County.
counties.cce.cornell.edu/chemung

Other RSVP Affiliations

211 Helpline: www.211helpline.org
AARP: www.aarp.org
United Way of the Southern Tier: www.uwst.org
Chemung Valley Rural Health Network: www.cvhn.org
Chemung County Department of Aging and Long-Term Care:
www.chemungcounty.com/ofahome.html
Meals On Wheels of Chemung County: www.mealsonwheelschemung.org
VolunteerMatch: www.volunteermatch.org