Volunteers of America Honors RSVP Volunteers

Mandeville, LA (April 22, 2016) -- In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 10-16), Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans' senior RSVP Volunteers gathered for an annual recognition luncheon celebrating more than 43,000 hours of community service in 2015. The RSVP luncheon was held at the Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville on Saturday, April 16.

The Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans 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. Without the RSVP Volunteers, many local nonprofits and healthcare facilities 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 $1 million, which equates to the hours of service performed in 2015.

President Brister addressed the volunteers, "The value of your service is truly priceless. Thank you for giving your valuable time to other residents in St. Tammany that can benefit from your help."

Special guests in attendance also included Senator Bill Cassidy's Southeast Region Director Rachel Perez, Corporation for National and Community Service State Program Officer Jillian Winters, Peoples Health North Lake Market Executive Director Rick Littell, Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans President and CEO Jim LeBlanc, Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans Immediate Past Board Chairman Bob Rhoden, Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans Board Member Fred Myers, Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans Northshore Director Ty Bartel, and Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans RSVP Program Coordinator Dee Wild.

The RSVP program, a component of Senior Corps, is funded through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The luncheon is sponsored by Peoples Health and Lakeview Regional Medical Center.

For more information about Volunteers of America's Veteran programs, please visit www.voagno.org.

Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men returning from prison, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions. Our work touches the mind, body, heart-and ultimately the spirit-of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.

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