Spring 2019 Newsletter--Story/Marshall

RSVP Volunteers Prepare for The75
Severe Weather, Other Disasters
Welcome
Although weather-related disasters can
happen anytime (the Marshalltown Connection
tornado struck July 19 and Stratford was
hit by an F3 in November!), spring is Spring Newsletter 2019
when national attention turns to Severe
Weather Preparedness. RSVP volunteers Inside this issue:
have a jump on others as they train to
assist in all sorts of disasters year-round. Jessica Bullock RSVP Brag Book
For years, RSVP in Story County has Photos
been training volunteers to operate tip 2
hotlines, run volunteer reception centers,
staff non- emergency phone banks and In the RSVP Winter Newsletter we New Arrivals 2
assist in the activation of a public health
POD (Point of Dispensing). This spring, introduced Jessica as our new Volunteer 3
tornados are not the only weather disaster AmeriCorps VISTA serving with us Opportunities Insert
folks are concerned with—heavy winter in Marshalltown. Although we are
snows could result in severe spring sad to say goodbye to RSVP RSVP State
flooding. If that happens, RSVP Coordinator Lori Williams, we are Impact
volunteers are ready!
excited to introduce Jessica as a new 2019 Insert
Kalen at the Capitol permanent RSVP staff member. Newsletter
Jessica will still be assisting in Sponsors
In February, Iowa RSVP Directors met with Marshalltown half time for a few
legislators at the Capitol in Des Moines to
thank them for their service and share stats months and spend the rest of her time
and amazing stories about RSVP volunteers.
coordinating our Volunteer

Management for Disasters & This and That
Emergencies Program in Story

County. In August she will transition  RSVP TIMESHEET
to full-time Story County staff
member. Jessica is currently in her Although we no longer
junior year at the University of include a volunteer timesheet
Nebraska at Omaha studying online in the newsletter, your hours
are important to us. If you

towards a degree in Emergency need one, just let any one of
Management with an emphasis in the RSVP staff know. You can
Public Administration and also call in or email your
Management with a minor in Non- hours to any coordinator.

Profit Administration and  E-NEWSLETTER OPTION

Management. Jessica and her If you are interested in
husband Aaron have 3 adorable kids: helping our environment or in
Ryan (7), Anna (5) and Sean (4). helping RSVP save time and
money—why not sign up for
In the RSVP Winter Newsletter we the E-EDITION of the

introduced Jessica as our new newsletter? Just let Kendra
AmeriCorps VISTA serving with us in know at: [email protected]
Marshalltown. Although we are sad to and you’ll start receiving this
say goodbye to RSVP Coordinator Lori newsletter in your e-mailbox.

Williams, we are excited to introduce  Don’t forget to pick up your

Jessica as a new permanent RSVP staff personalized RSVP name

member. Jessica will still be assisting in badge. Just call any office
Marshalltown half time for a few location to request one.

months and spend the rest of her time

coordinating our Volunteer Management

Safety! That’s the word that keeps coming to mind as we compile this issue’s Brag Book. Central Iowa RSVP
volunteers actively work to make the area a safer, more friendly place. They are highly-trained disaster workers
ready to jump in at moment’s notice in times of crisis while others work side-by-side with local law enforcement.
From June 2017-July 2018, Central Iowa RSVP Volunteers donated 1,589 hours to Volunteer Management for
Emergencies, Public Health & Public Safety training and assistance. Thanks to all of these amazing volunteers!

On March 2, a Disaster Training Twice a week, RSVP
was held at Gates Hall in volunteers provide
Nevada. Volunteers practiced fingerprinting to
the set up and activation of a the general public
Volunteer Reception Center. for the Ames Police
Another drill will be held in Dept. RSVP and
Story City on March 30. Ames PD volunteer
Terri Hasselman is
shown here rolling
fingerprints and
providing training
for Cindy Cooper.
Cindy is also an
RSVP volunteer
who has joined the
Ames Police
Department
fingerprinting team.

In February, RSVP volunteers participated in a tip hotline training
conducted by Nic Briseno, Communications Operations Manager for the
Story County Sheriff’s Office. In the event of a missing/abducted child in
Story County, RSVP volunteers are prepared to receive and process what
could be thousands of tips coming in.

WELCOME New
Arrivals to RSVP

On January 22, the Ames Police Mary Barratt Ames
Department (APD) honored RSVP Beverly Carstensen Ames
volunteer Chuck Beal for 17 years of
dedicated volunteer service to the Cynthia Cooper Nevada
department. APD staff (Tammy Hyer) Linda Farrell Roland
along with RSVP Director Kalen Bev Fisher Marshalltown
Petersen, Chuck’s wife Jan and their Linda Huge Marshalltown
granddaughter shared in the surprise
for Chuck. Delicious cake was served Julie Larson Ames
and Chuck was presented with an Laurel Marr Ames
appreciation plaque for his 1,000+ Lisa Rotolo Ames
hours of clerical support. Our thanks Neal Rudnick Ames
Carole Stevens Ames
and congratulations to Chuck!

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

STORY COUNTY MARSHALL COUNTY

PLEASE CALL 515-292-8890 TO VOLUNTEER OR GET MORE PLEASE CALL 641-752-0279 TO VOLUNTEER OR GET MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT THESE VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS INFORMATION ON THESE VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS

Reiman Garden ISU Extension & Outreach
Butteryfly Wing Docents - Volunteers are needed to help ISU Extension is looking for volunteers to help with office
with monitoring the butterfly space to ensure that needs – answering phones, waiting on customers, etc.
USDA regulations are followed and the butterflies are when staff is unavailable. Volunteers are also needed as
contained within the exhibit. These volunteers interact Garden Mentors for upcoming Summer Garden
directly with the public answering questions about the programming.
butterflies and plants in the exhibit. New Butterfly Wing
Docents are required to attend one training. Iowa River Hospice
Conservatory Docents - Do you enjoy interacting with Volunteers are needed to assist with patient care.
people and teaching others? Are you into tropical plants? Training is available. There are also a variety of volunteer
Reiman Gardens' new volunteer position might be the opportunities within the Hospice House that don’t involve
perfect opportunity for you! Greet visitors to the Hughes patient care.
Conservatory, and share information about the plants and
current center display. No plant knowledge is necessary to Iowa Valley Continuing Ed/Iowa Works
get started. Training is provided. Volunteers are needed to assist with office duties and
Weed-a-thon - Weeds are just plants out of place! Join us provide customer service to clientele. Volunteers must
for our first annual Weed-a-thon & help our horticulture be able to handle a variety of clerical tasks.
staff get the gardens in shape for spring. Volunteers are
needed in the mornings & afternoon April 17-19 and the Iowa Veterans Home
morning of April 20. The Iowa Veterans Home is currently looking for
volunteers to participate in a friendly visitor program.
Ames Public Library (APL) Volunteers are also needed to assist with transportation
INSPIRE Reading Tutors - APL had embarked on a new of residents to activities outside of the Veterans’ Home,
tutoring program for students 3rd grade or older who are such as shopping, restaurant and casino trips, helping with
struggling with reading challenges such as dyslexia. You will Bingo, ceramics and other recreational activities.
be assigned one student and will meet together at APL
once a week. You will be assisting them through the multi- Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA
level Barton Reading System. Training is provided. A RSVP is currently recruiting volunteers to help with
background in education is not required but you should several projects with the Junior Optimists at the
feel comfortable providing compassionate guidance and Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA (3rd - 5th graders). These
individual instruction to students. programs will help to build positive multi-generational
Youth Services Program Assistant - A volunteer is needed relationships and increase school-related activity that is
on Thursday & Friday mornings 11:00am-Noon to assist beneficial to both students and volunteers.
with our MAKER MORNING program. You will assist
children of all ages with a pre-planned craft during this Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging
drop-in program. You do not have to be proficient in crafts, Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to homebound
just enjoy easy craft activities with kids! seniors. Help make someone’s day by sharing a smile, a
kind word and delivering a hot meal to homebound
Nevada Medical Center seniors. There is a critical need for volunteers to help with
If you enjoy meeting new people this is the opportunity for this opportunity and you could be one of them.
you. Volunteers are needed for gift shop at Nevada Senior
Care and Nevada Medical Center. Times are 12:30-3:30pm. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army in Marshalltown is looking for
RSVP Volunteer Driver Transportation Program volunteers to assist with some office/receptionist duties.
Nevada: Become part of a pool of volunteers who provide
occasional rides to those in need of transportation. Priority Unity Point Health
is given to seniors needing rides to medical appointments. Volunteers are needed for a variety of volunteer
Volunteers use their own vehicles and can be reimbursed opportunities at both hospital locations in Marshalltown.
for mileage. Drivers are especially needed to serve Nevada
clients. Most trips are within Nevada or to Ames. Meals on Wheels
Volunteers are needed to deliver meals through the
Meals on Wheels program in Marshalltown. By giving a
little of your time one day a month, you can help make
someone’s day by delivering a hot meal.

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Kalen Petersen, Director 2018-2019 RSVP Advisory
Council Members
[email protected] 515-733-4917
Lynn Scarlett - Chair, Nevada
Pat Firnhaber, Office Coordinator Nancy Long – Vice-Chair, Gilbert

[email protected] 515-733-4917 Ron Matthews, Ames
Diana Schwendinger, Ames
Jessica Bullock, Volunteer Coordinator Doni Sheldon, Marshalltown
Norma Dorado-Robles, Marshalltown
(Story/Marshall)
Deb Grove, Marshalltown
[email protected] 515-292-8890 John Abrams, Ames

Arti Sanghi, Volunteer Coordinator (Story) Gaylan Scofield, Story City
[email protected] 515-292-8890 Dina McKenna, Nevada/Ankeny

Linda Von Holten, Volunteer Coordinator (Marshall) Mike Fritz, Nevada

[email protected] 641-752-0279

Kendra Breitsprecher, Marketing Coordinator
[email protected]

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