Story/Marshall Winter Newsletter

final Annual summary of

2018-2019 Statistics accomplishments

Total # of RSVP Volunteers: 1,056 (in all 4 counties) and impact
Total Volunteer Hours Served: 44,512
Monetary Value of the Volunteer Hours: $1,079,090 2018-2019

*Based on the Independent Sector for Iowa’s dollar value of a volunteer hour RSVP

Funding/Budget Information (Story & Marshall) Winter December 2019

2018-2019 Funding Sources Newsletter

Federal Grant (Corporation for National & Community Service—CNCS) Engaging
Federal Disaster Grant (CNCS—Marshall County)
State of Iowa and Story County Meeting Transportation Needs in ADDITIONAL SERVICES
United Way of Story County and Marshalltown Area United Way Story County Begins 10th Year Story County
Cities: Ames, Gilbert, Nevada, Story City, Zearing
City of Ames & Story County Emergency Management: Emergency THANK YOU What began as a pilot project funded OUR MISSION Emergency Services
by United Way of Story County in
Disaster Volunteer Management to our financial January 2010 has become a transporta- Enhance the lives of adults Contracting with the City
supporters! tion resource that has served 332 age 55 and older by of Ames and Story County
2018-2019 Special Grants and Support Story County residents. The RSVP connecting them with Emergency Management,
Volunteer Driver Program has engaged rewarding volunteer RSVP coordinates the
ITN America – “Rides in Sight” grant for the RSVP Transportation a total of 113 RSVP drivers who have management of volunteers
Program (to support rides to eye doctor appointments): $870 traveled 151,615 miles providing rides experiences that meet mobilized in natural disas-
United Way Golf “Fore” Kids Grant (RSVP Speak UP! Program): $507 to medical appointments and other community needs ters and public health and
Newsletter sponsors—$2,156 essential services (serving over 12,510 public safety emergencies.
Other general donations—$3,589 hours). OUR VISION
Transportation Services
Central Iowa RSVP Endowment Each year riders are asked to respond To be the premiere
(part of the Story County Community Foundation Family of Funds) to a survey and nearly 100% indicate volunteer management RSVP supplements existing
that having this service is an essential resource for mobilizing transportation services by
Collective individual donations in 18-19: $1,750 factor in maintaining independence adults age 55 and older providing the recruitment,
As of October 30, 2019, contributions and realized gains have brought the balance to: $14,642 and overall well-being. We are so management, and schedul-
grateful to our amazing volunteers and ing of volunteers providing
those who have provided financial sup- rides to Story County
port for this important service! residents. The primary (but
not exclusive) purpose of the
“This transportation service has made an incredible difference in my program is to provide Story
life. I am unable to drive because of health reasons so I am very grate- County’s older adults with
ful for the marvelous drivers and schedulers. It is amazing how kind safe and reliable transporta-
and considerate the drivers are. They never hesitate to give extra care tion to and from medical
and attention. I always feel loved and cared for. Thank you RSVP!” appointments and other
essential services.
Michelle Robinson, Ames (Rider since 2013)

RSVP provides a proven and effective infrastructure to screen,
recruit, and place volunteers to meet local needs

CENTRAL IOWA RSVP SIGNATURE PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

RSVP Signature Programs are those assignments that are either coordinated exclusively by RSVP or ones that RSVP plays a significant role in direct partnership with another organization or organizations.

Reading Tutors SPEAK UP! “Allowing the volunteers in the classroom to EMERGENCY SERVICES, PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY—Keeping our communities safe and prepared
share their wealth of knowledge further Disaster Services
29 RSVP volunteers (618 hours) 12 RSVP volunteers (224 hours) taught demonstrates the importance of speaking,
worked one-on-one or in small groups 175 students, by conducting 8-week ses- learning, and education as a whole to our Volunteer Management for Emergencies serving Story County*: In a natural disaster or other emergency, RSVP volunteers staff a
with 314 students, helping build reading sions of SPEAK UP!, a public speaking volunteer reception center and a non-emergency phone bank conducting community volunteer intake and providing information and
skills and improve reading performance. course designed by RSVP to improve 5th students. Students have developed a stronger referral services for non-emergency calls related to the disaster. Trainings/Drills: 5 conducted with 56 volunteers (49 unduplicated),
grade students' confidence and public sense of the importance of oral and written 138 training hours. Partners: Story County Emergency Management (EMA), Cities of Ames, Huxley, Nevada, and Story City
Partners: Schools - Ames, Marshalltown, speaking skills. Partners: Schools - Colo- communication in a setting that allows for
Raising Readers (Story Co.), St. Edmond’s RSVP Responds to the Marshalltown Tornado Disaster
(Fort Dodge), St. Thomas Aquinas (Webster NESCO, Gilbert, St. Cecilia’s & Ames growth beyond the classroom teacher. On July 19, 2018,an E-3 tornado struck Marshalltown and caused a massive amount of devasta-
City), Stratford, Webster City Christian, (Ames), St. Edmond’s (Fort Dodge) Overall, the Speak UP! program has made tion. The downtown, including a historic courthouse were devastated, as well as two major
an impact on my students and has been a employers and several entire neighborhoods. Central Iowa RSVP has a well-trained Volunteer
RSVP Pen Pal Program Management for Emergencies program in Story County and many of those trained volunteers
wonderful addition to my curriculum.” were willing to respond and help our neighbors in Marshall County. RSVP staff and volunteers
375 RSVP volunteers (8,892 hours) were Mrs. Rita Anderson, 5th Grade Teacher— jumped into action, setting up shop in Marshalltown, coordinating with other agencies, and
matched one-on-one with 422 elementary or St. Edmond Catholic School—Fort Dodge organizing volunteers that were pouring into Marshalltown to help. In September, 2018, a federal
middle school students as Pen Pals. Students disaster grant was approved, making it possible for RSVP to continue to help with the recovery
learned important letter writing skills and Youth Teaching Garden and rebuild. Sometimes it may seem like the emergency drills conducted for RSVP volunteers are
developed a relationship through the mail with a unnecessary—“We just did this a few months ago”— but the Marshalltown tornado proved just
“grandbuddy”. Partners: Schools - Colo-NESCO, 13 RSVP volunteers (232 hours) served as how very valuable it is to have a trained force. (16 RSVP volunteers served 351 hours
garden mentors and day camp instructors to facilitating a VRC and providing data entry clerical support).
Gilbert, Nevada, Roland-Story, Northeast Hamilton, 156 Marshall County youth, taking them through
South Hamilton, SE Webster- Grand, Stratford, St. multiple steps of gardening and connecting them Assist Local Law Enforcement
Thomas Aquinas, Webster City; Marshalltown YMCA/ to the importance of preparing and eating healthy
YWCA foods. Partner: Iowa State University Extension – RSVP volunteers (31 provided 1,437 hours) served local law enforcement in a variety of capacities including:
monitoring 911 calls, data entry, scanning, fingerprinting the public, overseeing jail visitation, and providing pre-trained
Marshall County (5 garden locations) volunteers to assist the Sheriff's Office in the event of a child-abduction or missing person (answering a tip hotline
and registering spontaneous volunteers who want to assist with search and rescue). Partners: Ames Police Depart-
RSVP Volunteer Driver RSVP BASE Fitness Program
Program—41 Story County (celebrating 5 years)—26 RSVP ment, Story County Sheriff’s Office/Jail

RSVP volunteer drivers (1,420 volunteers in Hamilton and Webster Counties Public Health Emergency Preparedness
hours) served 96 Story County (1,674 hours) facilitated free senior fitness
residents with safe and reliable programs at 18 locations for 235 seniors that RSVP volunteers are trained to serve in a variety of capacities in the facilitation of PODS (Points of Dispensing) in the event of a
transportation to and from essential focused on increasing healthy exercise habits that pandemic or infectious outbreak, including assistance in the following areas: Set-up, Greeters, Registration, Runners Traffic/Crowd Control
services, with priority given to older positively impact Balance, Agility, Strength, and and Flow, and Data Entry. Training/Drill: 1 held with 23 volunteers; 46 training hours. Partner: Story County Public Health Agency—MGHHHS
adults needing rides to medical Endurance. Partners: Webster City & Fort Dodge Parks
appointments. Volunteers used their
own vehicles to provide 766 round & Recreation Depts.; McFarland Clinic Physical Therapy
Dept; Leah Feltz Fitness
trips and drove 19,223 miles.

Winter Weatherization Providing diverse volunteer recruitment and placement support that enhances or
supplements the existing services of 59 public, non-profit and health care agencies
21 RSVP volunteers (139 hours) along with other community volunteers weatherized 77 homes of low-income families, elderly/disabled
citizens, and veterans in 3 counties of the RSVP service area, serving 221 individuals). Volunteers conducted energy-related audits of
the homes, put plastic on windows, sealed leaks, installed door sweeps, etc. Partners: Volunteer Center of Story County, Fort Dodge High School

Industrial Arts Class, New Covenant Christian Church (Fort Dodge), and several Webster City volunteer groups with homeowner referrals coming from
several non-profit agencies. (Funding partners – see Page 4)

SIGHTS DO YOU HEAR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
& Of the Season WHAT I HEAR?
SOUNDS PLEASE CALL 515-292-8890 TO VOLUNTEER OR GET PLEASE CALL 641-752-0279 TO VOLUNTEER OR GET
Sleigh bells? Carolers? Maybe MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER
Senior Variety Show (SVS) representatives are shown here 32 tiny hooves on the roof? VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS. ASK FOR JESSICA.
presenting a check for $2,000 to the Central Iowa RSVP VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS. ASK FOR LINDA.
Transportation Program. The check is being presented by How about sights? Twinkling Mary Greeley Medical Center
Pat Meeks, SVS Board President, to Kalen Petersen, RSVP lights? Jolly old men in red? Caring Hands Volunteer: The Caring Hands Program uses MICA– Mid-Iowa Community Action
Director. RSVP Volunteer Drivers and other RSVP staff trained volunteers to provide non-therapeutic hand massage MICA is looking for volunteers to work with youth on a
members participated in the presentation. Delighted grandchildren? to patients and/or family members at the William R. Bliss variety of after-school programming.
We are so grateful to The Senior Variety Show (SVS) for ‘Tis the Season. Cancer Center. The Volunteer will provide an opportunity for
selecting RSVP’s Transportation Program as a recipient of patients/family members to receive a voluntary, complimen- Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging
proceeds from the 2019 Senior Variety Show. Thank you! WELCOME! tary, hand massage using gloved hands, with gentle massage. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to homebound
NEW ARRIVALS TO Volunteers will introduce themselves and the service to the seniors. Help make someone’s day by sharing a smile, a
Arti Sanghi, longtime RSVP volunteer coordinator, will be patient/family member. A minimum 6-month commitment is kind word and delivering a hot meal to home-
leaving RSVP at the end of January. She and her husband Kathleen Best Ames required. Volunteers are needed Tuesdays from 9-11a.m. and bound seniors. There is a critical need for volunteers to
Bhushan will be moving to the Dallas, TX area. We are sad Sarah Bohlke Ames Fridays from 1-3p.m. Intensive Care & Coronary Unit Infor- help with this opportunity and you could be one of them.
Don Breticka Ames mation Desk: Duties include greeting guests; directing visitors
to see Arti leave and we want to thank her with a proper Karen Breticka Ames and families to other areas; and serving as a check point for UnityPoint Health
send-off. Please join us to wish her well… Don Carlson Nevada patient visits. Main contact is with family members and staff. Volunteers are needed for a variety of volunteer oppor-
Debra Fritz Nevada Volumes vary with this assignment so it is great for those volun- tunities at both locations in Marshalltown.
RSVP “GOOD-BYE” OPEN HOUSE Tim Garner Ames teers willing to help with clerical work or volunteers may read.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2020 Delora Hade Ames Mon. from 3-6p.m. and Thurs. from 12-4p.m. Patient Safety Meals on Wheels
Ester Handsaker Nevada Program: utilizes trained volunteers for the enhancement of a Volunteers are needed to deliver meals through the
210 CRYSTAL STREET (RSVP AMES OFFICE) Rita Hawkins Nevada safe environment for high risk fall patients through the inspec- Meals on Wheels program in Marshalltown. By giving a
1 – 3 PM Kim Heckert Story City tion of the patient's environment, monitoring of staff compli- little of your time one day a month, you can help some-
Rebecca Hedlund Ames ance with fall prevention protocol, and reminding the patient one in need by delivering a hot meal.
Charlene Jarboe Nevada of their role in fall prevention. The role of the volunteer is to
Marlene Johnson Ames visit patients who have been designated at risk for fall and RSVP Volunteer Driver
Steven Johnson Ames document on a spreadsheet compliance with fall protocol. Shifts Transportation Program
Raymond Kassel Nevada Available: 2-3 hour shifts available Wed., Thurs., Fri. or Sat.
Charlotte Klaver Story City between 12-7pm. (Story County)
Janice Lawler Nevada Sterile Process Department (SPD): Assisting SPD staff with the
Gail Loy Ames preparation of linens used in the OR and OB which includes the You can make a difference in the lives of Story
Jill Miller Nevada removal of lint, folding according to a specific pattern and County residents by becoming part of a pool of
Ginger Ozanich Kelley prepare for sterilization. Assisting with necessary minor clean-
Terry Potter Ames ing and restocking of the workroom workstations, minor clean- volunteers who provide occasional rides to
Jean Prestemon Ames ing of surgical instrument containers, and assist in workflow of those in need of transportation. Priority is given
Vivian Wilkening Nevada SPD as needed. Shift Available: 2 hour shifts available Mon. and
Ruth Yocom Nevada Tues. between 8am-12pm. to seniors needing rides to medical appoint-
Cinian Zheng-Durbin Ames ments. This service is provided entirely by vol-
Food at First
RSVP assists with two of the many shifts available each unteers who use their own vehicles.
month. Volunteers are needed Jan. 13th to prepare and serve In Nevada, 1-2 more drivers are needed to help
food and again on Jan. 23rd to repackage food and staff stations
at the marketplace. Shifts are from 3:30-6:30pm. Call RSVP if riders in that area.
you are interested in helping with these or other shifts.