Senior volunteers recognized in Jackson County

By Kate McCardell

Published: May 15, 2008

Some of Jackson County’s senior volunteers were recognized for their work Thursday at a Retired Seniors Volunteer Program dinner.

According to the Administration on Aging, May is Older Americans Month 2008. This year’s theme is “Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities.”

Jackson County has about 150 seniors volunteering through RSVP, proof that seniors do help make communities stronger and healthier.

“Our sponsor is Elder Care Services in Tallahassee. They sponsor the RSVP program from Walton to Madison counties. Because it’s Older Americans Month, we’re doing lunch in each county to say thanks to our volunteers,” said Julie Prevatt, division director of senior volunteer program for Elder Care Services, Inc.

The program is federally funded and is a United Way Agency, said Prevatt.

Prevatt said volunteers in the program do a variety of volunteer work, from distributing food, to working with Habitat for Humanity, to tutoring at local schools or working with the Jackson Hospital Pink Ladies.

Ruby Keel was one of the volunteers at Thursday’s event.

Keel, who received the fourth Habitat House in Jackson County, said it’s her love of being able to help others that compels her to volunteer.
“It’s a blessing to help someone less fortunate than you are. I can consider myself as less fortunate, but I have a house, so I try to help someone else,” said Keel.

Sitting beside her during the lunch, Keel’s friend and fellow Habitat volunteer Eva Mullins said volunteering is not about having the time, but making the time.
“It’s just a good thing to help others, whether it’s for 30 minutes or more than an hour at a time,” said Mullins.

Prevatt said that the RSVP helps seniors age 55 years and older find opportunities to volunteer.

“If you’re 55 or older we’ll provide you with personal liability insurance, automobile insurance and a $2,500 life insurance policy for free,” said Prevatt.
She said that the program will not turn away anyone interested in volunteering, no matter their age.

“We have no actual volunteer center here, so if you want to volunteer and you call us no matter what your age we’ll try and pair you up,” said Prevatt.
The program also performs background checks on all its volunteers and holds recognition events for volunteers, which helps participating agencies.
Those interested in volunteering may call the area coordinator, Merita Stanley, at 482-3220.