RSVP VOLUNTEERS MEET IN HONORS CEREMONY

CHAFFEE -- Phyllis McClanahan, 55, of rural Cape Girardeau and Otto Peetz, 75, of Gordonville were two of the newest participants honored Thursday in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Almost 100 senior citizens gathered in Chaffee for the annual recognition ceremony for RSVP volunteers in Scott and Cape Girardeau counties.

McClanahan joined the program in August when she substituted for another volunteer at the Jackson Nutrition Center. She helped to get the meals ready for delivery to area home-bound people.

"I had told them that I would help sometime so I was asked," McClanahan said. She said she enjoyed helping at the center.

"I like to volunteer," McClanahan said. "It's a real rewarding thing -- helping other people."

McClanahan and her husband operate a construction company and a real-estate and rental business. She handles the bookkeeping for the operations.

She also volunteers as treasurer of the Zion Lutheran Church at Gordonville as a member of the American Association of Retired Persons.

"I like office work," McClanahan said. She said she would like to use some of that experience in other volunteer positions as she gets closer to retirement age.

Peetz, 75 and a widower since 1989, started as a RSVP volunteer in July. He helps at the senior citizens center in Jackson and also visits the Missouri Veterans Home. A veteran himself, he visits during "Happy Hour" to talk with his friends.

Peetz had been partially employed for eight years until this summer. Since he's fully retired now, RSVP helps him to stay in contact.

"I wanted to start being around people and to help them," Peetz said about becoming a RSVP volunteer. "I will continue to volunteer as long as my health holds up," he said.

The recognition ceremony marked the 21st year for RSVP in Scott County. The program was expanded to Cape Girardeau County in 1992.

"This is the highlight of the year," said Ellie Knight of Scott City, RSVP administrator, as she welcomed the volunteers. She had special words for Chaffee residents Bert Finley and Eloise Moore, both of whom became volunteers during the first year of the program in 1973.

Knight said expanding into Cape County has helped the organization's name recognition. She said more people are now aware of the benefits to the community from the work done by the senior citizen volunteers.

Lana Johnson of Cape Girardeau, who started Chaffee's nutrition program in 1973, was introduced as the nutrition project director for the Area Agency on Aging, the sponsoring organization for RSVP in both counties.

Johnson said her agency supports programs that improve the quality of life for senior citizens. She said RSVP tries to match senior citizens' abilities and personalities with their volunteer duties.

"RSVP is an opportunity for senior citizens to stay active in their communities with meaningful volunteer activities," Johnson said. "Senior citizens are able to use their talents and experiences to continue to contribute to the overall good of their communities."