Community Action, Inc.’s Senior Corps-Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Annual Clarion County Recognition Held

Community Action, Inc.'s Senior Corps-Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) held their annual recognition event, "Fun and Games, Bingo Party" on October 18, 2017 at the American Legion Post #66 in Clarion to recognize 109 active volunteers within Clarion County. Samantha Schrecengost, Senior Corps-RSVP Director, presented a ceremonial check for $73,394.47 to County Commissioners Wayne Brosius and Ed Heasley acknowledging the current value of the 10,123.25 hours served by the Senior Corps-RSVP volunteers in Clarion County from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. These hours were served at 21 stations throughout the county, including: Allegheny Hills Retirement Residence, American Red Cross, Clarion Area Agency on Aging, Clarion County Historical Society, Clarion Hospital, Clarion-Jefferson County Head Start, Clarion Free Library, Clarview Nursing & Rehab Center, Community Action, Inc.'s VITA and Warm Hearts, Warm Hands Projects, Department of Veteran Affairs - Community Based Outreach Clinic, Foxburg Free Library, Clarion Main Street Senior Center, Knox Senior Center, Leeper Senior Center, New Bethlehem Senior Center, Rimersburg Senior Center, Pennies From Heaven, Redbank Valley Community Center, Salvation Army, Cook Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts, and the Valley Thrift Shop. Samantha stated, “I don’t think the public realizes the people who serve them at non-profits, healthcare facilities, and at other locations are often volunteers, this check represents the expense employers would incur if not for the time and expertise provided by volunteers. Local children, elderly, disadvantaged, and veterans would go without services. Senior Corps-RSVP Volunteers are truly amazing and I cannot thank them enough for all their generosity and contributions to their communities; I hope future generations have the same passion to help others.” This event was sponsored by Clarion County Commissioners, Community Action, Inc., the Corporation for National and Community Service, and local donors: Applebee's, Barrow-Civic Theatre, Burford and Henry Real Estate, Burns and Burns Associates, Inc., Central Electric Co-Op Inc., Clarion Federal Credit Union, Clarion Psychiatric Center, Family Styles, JM Custom Interiors, Karla's Curl Up & Dye Salon, Microtel Inn and Suites, Monroe Heights, Clarion County Area Agency on Aging, American Legion Post # 66, Country Springs Personal Care, and C93 Radio Station. During the "Fun and Games" event, awards were presented to individuals who have been volunteering for five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years, as well as serving over 500 hours in one year, and 7,000 lifetime hours. There was also special recognition to veterans and new RSVP volunteers. If you are age 55 or over and interested in utilizing your skills and talents to improve our community and change people's lives, become a member of Community Action, Inc.'s Senior Corps-RSVP. If you are seeking volunteers to serve at your non-profit or healthcare facilities, become a Senior Corps-RSVP Station. Contact Samantha Schrecengost, Senior Corps-RSVP Director, at 814-938-3302, ext. 236 or toll-free 1-800-648-3381 or via e-mail [email protected].