2019 Spring Newsletter: Webster, Hamilton

Serving Hamilton
and

Webster Countiesnd

Spring 2019

Spring is Here! Let’s Get Active! Inside this issue:

RSVP Brag Book 2
Photo Collage

Congratulations, you hardy Iowans! You have survived another tough Iowa All Cultures Equal 2
winter (although it’s true some of you escaped our state during the winter Connects Cultures
months to warmer climes). But Spring has finally arrived, and it is time to shake

off the winter doldrums and get active again! Volunteer 3
RSVP volunteers can participate in a number of outdoor activities including: Opportunities

All Cultures Equal Community Gardens Meals on Wheels deliverers
Hamilton County Fair judge helpers RSVP Volunteer
Boone River Clean-Up Day Local Impact 3
Parks and Trails Trash Pick-Up Market on Central market host

JunqueFest Information Booth Legacy Learning BRV helpers RSVP Individual Timesheet
for those who wish to track
Contact your RSVP volunteer coordinator to learn more about these and and turn in any RSVP
many other volunteer opportunities available this spring. Let’s get active! initiated volunteer hours

RSVP Volunteer Impact in Iowa

44 Iowa counties
served by RSVP

RSVP is the largest volunteer organization in the state of Iowa for people 55 and older

4,494 Iowans volunteered
with RSVP

(7/1/2017-6/31/2018)

294,311 hours were donated
by RSVP volunteers

$6,689,689 Value of RSVP
volunteer service
(Based on the Independent Sector’s
estimated value of $22.73 per hour of
volunteer time for 2017)

Spring 2019 RSVP Brag Book Photo Collage

RSVP volunteers meet their pen pals at Southeast Valley Elementary school in Dayton

BASE Senior Fitness Leaders enjoy chili lunch served by RSVP Central Iowa RSVP Director Kalen Petersen
meets with Senator Jerry Behn and Director
Michelle Hull at the 2019 RSVP Directors
Legislative Appreciation Event

Central Iowa RSVP Advisory Council Members Joyce Stough reading to babies
meet at New Covenant Church, Fort Dodge at Webster City Day Care

ACE Community Center Brings
People of Different Cultures Together

All Cultures Equal, also known as ACE, located on the far east end of 2nd Street in Webster City, is a non-
profit organization which seeks to bring people of all cultures together to improve communication and
understanding, and to enhance and strengthen our community. ACE offers a large community garden space,
English/Spanish language classes, English as a Second Language classes, Citizenship classes, and multi-cultural
cooking classes. ACE hosts a BASE Senior Fitness exercise class, as well as a Zumba class. ACE also provides a food
pantry, and a community marketplace to sell new and used items and food.
There are many opportunities for volunteers to assist in the programs offered through ACE. Volunteers are needed
to help with the food pantry which is held the second and fourth Thursday of every month. The garden program,
which works with students, starts June 11and runs for 8 weeks. Help is needed to work with the kids, help in the
kitchen to make snacks, and in watering the garden. The BASE Senior Fitness class at ACE is in need of a leader.
Contact Central Iowa RSVP is you have interest in any of these rewarding volunteer opportunities.

Current Volunteer Opportunities Spring 2019

The following opportunities are available to all volunteers in Hamilton and Webster
Counties. If you are interested in an assignment in another community, RSVP can provide
mileage reimbursement. For more information, contact Becky Koppen in Webster City at
515-832-2525 or Terri Laufersweiler in Fort Dodge at 515-573-3477.

Webster City Chamber of Commerce Southfield Wellness Center
The Chamber of commerce is looking for volunteers to Volunteers are sought to help with BINGO, Crafts and
man the information booth during JunqueFest . cards, and one-on-one visits.
Volunteers are also needed to distribute table tents on a
quarterly basis to local businesses. All Cultures Equal
Assistance is needed at ACE with the gardening program
Market on Central for kids. Volunteers may help with the kids, help to make
Volunteers are needed at the information booth to hand snacks, or help with the watering of the garden. Help
out market maps, and as a market host to greet the with the bi-monthly food pantry is also needed.
public and answer questions.
Speak Up! in Fort Dodge Public Schools
Meals On Wheels-WC Volunteers are needed to facilitate an 8-week public
Looking for people who are willing to deliver meals one speaking course for fifth-grade students. RSVP provides
day a week. May also substitute for regular route drivers. training, materials, and ongoing support for the
Routes run in Webster City M-F, 11:15-12:15. volunteers, who work in teams of two. The time
commitment for the 8-week project is about 2 hours per
Legacy Learning Boone River Valley week for preparation and serving in the classroom.
Legacy Learning is a non-profit organization in Webster Contact Terri at 515-573-3477.
City that offers workshops in crafts, art and nature. An
office worker is needed to help with table tents, create Habitat for Humanity Restore Store
monthly announcements and press releases. 10 hrs./wk, Volunteer is needed to work a few hours a week to meet
hours flexible. and greet customers and to work at the cash register.

RSVP Impact in Hamilton and Webster Counties

388 RSVP Volunteers in Hamilton and Webster Counties

10,107 hours served 45 homes served with
Winter Weatherization

$229,732 value of RSVP volunteer service (7/1/17-6/31/18)

35 Stations served 49 Service Activities

Your service as an RSVP volunteer is valuable, and makes a difference in your community.
Thank you for volunteering!

Central Iowa RSVP Central Iowa RSVP Welcomes
Staff Members New Advisory Council Members

Kalen Petersen, Director Lorie Spanjers and Billie Shelton were welcomed into
515-733-4917 the Central Iowa RSVP Advisory Council on March 7.
Advisory Council members serve as ambassadors and
[email protected] liaisons for RSVP, promoting RSVP and volunteerism in
their communities. They help RSVP to identify unmet
Becky Koppen community needs, and suggest actions for developing
Volunteer Coordinator and improving the RSVP program. Members also assist
with planning special events, such as volunteer
Hamilton County recognition, open house, fairs and expos. Thank you,
749 2nd Street Lorie and Billie, for serving on our Advisory Council!

Webster City, IA 50595
515-832-2525

[email protected]

Terri Laufersweiler
Volunteer Coordinator

Webster County
617 Central Avenue
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

515-573-3477
[email protected]

Kendra Breitsprecher
Marketing and Rural Coordinator

[email protected]

Pat Firnhaber
Office Coordinator

515-733-4917

We’re on the web! Central Iowa RSVP
www.rsvpvolunteer.org

PRSRT STD Central Iowa RSVP
U.S. Postage Paid
Webster City, IA 749 2nd Street
Permit #9 Webster City, IA 50595
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED