RSVP HOLDS ANNUAL RECOGNITION BANQUET

More than 500 special volunteers were honored for their work at an appreciation banquet held last week at Drury Lodge.

The banquet is an annual salute honoring the 532 members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. The seniors, all of whom are 55 years of age or older, donated more than 80,000 hours last year to 100 not-for-profit agencies.

The organization was created to serve agencies in Scott County in 1973. Most of the volunteers come because they know others in the program or through agency referrals or public notice, said director Tina McDowell.

The program began serving Cape Girardeau County in 1992, and it has been successful mainly because of support from the Cape Girardeau County Senior Tax Board, she said.

"We received funding from them which helps us to supply volunteers in Cape County," she said. "Their support has aided us tremendously in giving our volunteers meaningful activity and a chance to serve others in this county."

Volunteers said they enjoy the services they provide and the people who benefit from their services. To enlist RSVP volunteers, an agency must be not-for-profit and provide a community service. Volunteers log all hours they donate and provide services as diverse as reading aloud to students and dancing with veterans.