Greater Madison is blessed with countless nonprofit organizations that serve to spackle society’s cracks, and no organization drives the volunteer spirit quite like the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). That’s because some driving is required for volunteers.
For 50 years, RSVP of Dane County has matched volunteers ages 55 and over, including retired or nearly retired business executives, with community service opportunities. Among them:
Driver Services: RSVP has a driver services program where volunteer drivers take people to medical appointments. The drivers stay at the appointment and take riders back, and they also help ease the loneliness that many seniors feel. “The drivers set their own schedule and then we give mileage reimbursement at the [higher] federal rate,” explains Diana Jost, executive director of RSVP of Dane County. “We try to match them so they have the same passenger and form friendships. They form bonds.”
Drivers also deliver meals outside Madison. RSVP coordinates these services with senior centers throughout Dane County. “We provide the volunteers and they provide meals,” Jost explains. “We’ll pick up the meals at the senior center and then take them out to people’s homes.”
Vets Helping Vets: This is similar to driver services, only with military veterans taking other veterans to appointments, therapy sessions, or to the grocery store if need be.
Community Connections: RSVP’s second largest program is what most people think about when they consider volunteering — working in a food pantry, at a library, or at a hospital. Whereas other volunteer organizations may have interested volunteers fill out volunteer applications online, RSVP’s community connections coordinator talks to volunteers when they come in and they discuss personalized placement.
“We actually have the person come into the office or we’ll go meet them somewhere — at the library or for coffee — and talk to them for about an hour and see what they really like to do,” Jost explains. “What did you do before you retired? Do you want to do something similar? There are all kinds of volunteer opportunities.”
Those opportunities also include Triad, a safety program focused on a variety of needs such as avoiding scams, preventing falls, and health matters such as diabetic foot care.
As Jost notes, the opportunities are many and, she might add, the fulfillment is rich for those who volunteer.
