January 2008Looking Back On Another
Memorable Year…
At the close of another year, I would like to share
the successes of RSVP volunteers in our community during 2007. We are
pleased to report that 668 RSVP volunteers were actively serving
throughout the Lubbock community. Our monthly reports show that
approximately 90,000 hours were served during the year. The market
value of all the services performed by RSVP volunteers in 2007
translates into an estimated value of nearly $2,000,000. RSVP
volunteers serve in 91 non-profit organizations and public agencies
throughout our community. RSVP volunteers have a huge impact on our
community, and we thank you so much for your service.
What is 2-1-1 Texas?
-1-1 Texas is the new abbreviated dialing code for
free information and referrals to health and human service and community
organizations. 2-1-1 Texas serves as the number to call for information
regarding community resources. It is part of a national effort to help
promote self-sufficiency by linking individuals and families to critical
health and human services provided by nonprofit organizations and
government agencies within the community. (2-1-1 is not for immediate
or life-threatening services; for these services, dial 9-1-1.) By
simply dialing 2-1-1, callers are connected with information dealing
with available resources pertaining to government agencies, food
pantries, career services, after-school programs, counseling services,
transportation and many other non-profit resources. 2-1-1 is a free
help line, manned 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Coalition of Community Assistance Volunteers
(CCAV) assists low-income residents by providing free income
tax preparation and e-filing services. Volunteers may serve either as
“tax preparers” who are trained to enter taxpayer data into a
user-friendly computer program, or as “greeters” who welcome the VITA
clients. Training for “tax preparers” is scheduled for January 9th and
10th from 9:30 to 5:30 pm and January 12th from 9am to 6pm in the Texas
Tech Business Administration Building. Training is also available
online. Free tax preparation services will be available to eligible
taxpayers at various times every Monday through Thursday and Saturday
between January 22nd and April 15th. If you have basic computer skills,
I invite you to volunteer your time and talents for this worthy
service. If you are interested or have questions, please call CCAV at
687-2228.
Shalom Readers needs volunteers for
an after-school program held at Asbury United Methodist Church for
children who attend Dupre Elementary School. The program encourages
students to read, provides homework assistance and individual tutoring,
a nutritious snack and meal, and a safe place for children to gather
after school. The program is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00
to 5:00pm. You can volunteer one or both days, and you do not have to
be a former educator in order to participate. If you are interested,
please contact the RSVP office at 742-2423.
To
volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer
positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.
HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Karon McDowell about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the
enrollment form (requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!
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