Retiree group provides service to others

By Daniel Wolowicz danielw@theacorn.com

Like real-life superheroes, they selflessly give of themselves to make the Conejo Valley a better place to live.

The 1,200 members of the Conejo Valley Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provide services to 89 community organizations. Last year, RSVP donated more than 275,000 hours, or nearly $3 million worth of services to the area.

RSVP strives to give seniors an opportunity to use their life experience to help others. The organization places volunteers at various sites, including hospitals, schools and libraries.

As more and more baby boomers become senior citizens, organizations like RSVP continue to grow nationwide.

"The people who are the happiest and most active are those who live with a purpose," said Cindy Powers, director of RSVP. "We provide that purpose."

Established locally in 1972, RSVP is part of Senior Corps, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization. With an average age of 74, all RSVP volunteers must be at least 55 years old.

Volunteers work in such programs as Volunteers in Policing, Meals on Wheels and Hugs from Home, a military support group that sends care packages to troops overseas.

"The program really keeps me busy," said Millie Keefe, an RSVP volunteer. "I feel like I am doing something that will do good for other people."

For 30 years, Keefe and her husband owned an interior design business in the Conejo Valley. When her husband retired, Keefe went on to sell insurance for Mutual of Ohio for nearly 17 years.

"After my husband died, I wanted to do something to keep active," Keefe said, "so I joined RSVP. I work about six to eight hours a week, and just being around people and socializing is fun."

Keefe volunteers as a cashier in the dining room at the Goebel Senior Adult Center and also addresses birthday cards to local seniors.

Powers said 16 RSVP volunteers helped clients file nearly 1,200 state and federal tax returns this year as part of the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program.

"If you figure each tax return would have cost around $125, we saved seniors over $76,000 in just filing costs," Powers said. "It was the largest number of taxes filed by any RSVP-sponsored tax group in the nation."

Conejo Recreation and Park District sponsors the local RSVP chapter, which receives a yearly grant from the Corporation for National and Community Services.

In November, RSVP will host a two-day luncheon to recognize its many volunteers. RSVP is now accepting sponsorship donations for the event, which includes various levels of ticket offers. Ad space in RSVP’s newsletter is also available.

For more information on volunteering or the RSVP program, call (805) 381-2742 or send an e-mail to rsvp@crpd.org.