Luncheon Recognizes Senior Volunteers for Community Service

In celebration of National Volunteer month, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana’s RSVP volunteers gathered for an annual recognition luncheon celebrating more than 38,000 hours of community service in 2018. The RSVP luncheon was held at the Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville on Saturday, April 6.

The Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana RSVP volunteers are a select group of volunteers 55 years of age and older who use their time, skills, and life experiences to help meet critical needs across St. Tammany Parish.

There are over 400 RSVP Volunteers serving at 42 local nonprofits, schools and healthcare facilities across St. Tammany Parish. Without these valuable volunteers, these local organizations would not be able to provide many of their services. At the luncheon, the volunteers presented St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister with a mock check for more than $955,000, which equates to the hours of service performed in 2018.

"The value of your service is truly priceless," Brister said. "Thank you for giving your valuable time to the other residents in St. Tammany."

Special guests in attendance also included RSVP volunteer and Covington Councilman Jerry Coner, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana President and CEO Jim LeBlanc, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana Past Board Chairman Bob Rhoden, Volunteers of America Greater Southeast Louisiana Asst. Vice President of Administrative Services Jason Burt, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana RSVP Program Director Dee Wild, and Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana RSVP Coordinator Gwen Byars.

The RSVP program, a component of Senior Corps, is funded through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). If you would like to learn more about volunteering, contact Gwen Byars, RSVP Volunteer Coordinator, at 985-674-0488. For more information about Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, please visit www.voasela.org.