RSVP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

CHAFFEE -- Ada Jean Wagoner might be "75 years young" as she tells people, but she won't allow her age to keep her from doing the things she wants to do.

Every Friday, Wagoner drives to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau to operate a canteen for the residents.

"When I was younger, I always volunteered to help with the elderly," she said. "More people seem to do things for children; they neglect the elderly.

"But a lot of older people really do need help," Wagoner continued. "You can do the simplest things for them and keep them involved."

She got her job with the veterans home through the Chaffee-based Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), with whom she has worked for the past 13 years.

Through RSVP, seniors aged 55 and over are given an opportunity to contribute their time, experience, knowledge and interest to others in their communities.

On Friday, RSVP held a banquet in honor of its volunteers, while celebrating the organization's 20th anniversary.

"I'm a person who doesn't think you can get old," said Wagoner. "You have to grow old, but you don't have to get old.

"I really enjoy working for RSVP -- I get to do work I like to do and meet all kinds of people," she continued. "It really keeps you busy."

Wagoner does everything from working at the veteran's home, driving people to the doctor of the store, cooking for older persons, to babysitting a few times a year at special Parent-Teacher Association meetings.

"I sometimes get too involved, but that's the way I like it," she said. "I get as much out of this as the people I help."

RSVP started in Chaffee in 1973 by Administrator Ellie Knight, with 15 volunteers. Over the past 20 years, the program has grown to encompass all of Scott County and most recently Cape Girardeau city, and has more than 350 volunteers.

"Our volunteers work in any kind of non-profit agency that needs the services they can provide," said Tina McDowell, assistant RSVP administrator. "They can do as much or as little as they want, and can decide what days of the week they want to work."

McDowell said when people first come in to the RSVP office, they car interviewed, so they can be placed in a job most suited to their skills and interests.

"We ask about their work experience and their hobbies, and we draw from both when placing a volunteer," said McDowell. "If an older person gets into a job and decide he or she doesn't really like it, that person can always change jobs."

If the older person cannot provide his or her own transportation, Scott County Transit System, Inc., will provide transportation within Scott County, and Kelley Transportation Co., in Cape Girardeau takes older persons to their jobs in Cape County.

From the time they leave their homes, while they are at work and until they return home, the seniors are covered by an insurance policy in case they are hurt on the job or injured in an accident. RSVP also carries a $1,000 life insurance policy on each of their volunteers, which can be designated to a beneficiary by the volunteer.

RSVP is partially funded through a federal grant, but the rest of the money has to be raised locally. McDowell said when RSVP expanded into Cape County in 1992, the organization's grant did not increase.

"About half my time is spent coordinating volunteers with area agencies that have openings, and the rest is spent doing paperwork and raising money," said McDowell. In Scott County, 55 agencies draw from RSVP's resources; in Cape Girardeau there are about 40 agencies with which seniors volunteer.

"There are a lot of agencies who have tight budgets that need a helping hand," McDowell said. "We can be that extension for them; fill that void with a part-time volunteer.

"This program gives retired people something to do with their days," she continued. "Several years ago, this country was very concerned with recycling; that's what RSVP does.

"America's greatest natural resource is the skills of its retired people. We are in effect recycling their skills. And from that, the community benefits, older citizens benefit and nothing valuable is wasted."

LaRue Brown started volunteering with RSVP when the program expanded to Cape Girardeau.

"I was really involved with volunteer work before I found out about RSVP," said Brown.

"I really enjoy volunteer work, it's very rewarding -- particularly for a retired person," Brown continued. "I feel like I have something to give back to the community.

"I feel I have been fortunate in my life and I want to give something of myself to others," she said.

Brown, a retired secretary for a local church, started out with RSVP by doing office work at the Gibson Center in Cape Girardeau. She then worked with the Red Cross for a while before settling at St. Francis Medical Center where she works with the rehabilitation department and in the extended care facility.

"I enjoy being out working," Brown said. "It gives me a chance to keep by office-skills sharp, in an atmosphere where I can do some real good."

For more information or to volunteer with RSVP, call 335-7555, 887-3664 or 471-8584.