Local program pairs retired people with nonprofit work
For the past 15 years, Nettie Le Duc has had a standing
reservation once a week at the senior center in Hollister.
Local program pairs retired people with nonprofit work
For the past 15 years, Nettie Le Duc has had a standing reservation once a week at the senior center in Hollister.
She doesn’t just stop by for lunch – she works as a volunteer helping to deliver food to disadvantaged families and those who are confined to their homes.
Le Duc is one of many volunteers that found her calling through an organization called the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The group matches the personal skills and interests of seniors with volunteer opportunities in local nonprofit organizations.
The idea is that seniors are paired with organizations that truly need volunteers so that both the senior and the organization benefit from the situation.
“I first heard about this from the church, I think,” Le Duc said. “Someone approached me and said I was just the right person for the job.”
The senior volunteers don’t pay dues or fees to join and the program is open to anyone over the age of 55.
RSVP has been sponsored in San Benito County since 1984. It is an offshoot of the national senior corps program. The federal program is supported by local nonprofit organizations.
The way that RSVP works is that there is a short interview process in order to understand the type of activities the volunteers would like to pursue and the level of commitment they plan to make.
“Volunteers choose how and where they want to serve and can work from a few hours per month to over 40 hours per week,” said Sean Aten, outreach coordinator for the San Benito Retired Senior Volunteer Program. “In San Benito County alone, there are over 70 RSVP members already making a positive difference in their neighborhoods.”
Some of the nonprofits that benefit from senior volunteers include Hazel Hawkins Hospital; the San Benito County Free Library; Community Pantry; the American Red Cross; the California Highway Patrol and the San Juan Mission, just to name a few.
Several months ago, Le Duc suffered some medical problems and has not yet been able to return to her volunteer service at the senior center, but she is anxious to get back.
When she is able to return to her volunteer work, every Wednesday Le Duc will get into her car and drive down to the senior center to pick up bags of groceries to deliver to needy families around Hollister.
The second Monday of the month she has also volunteered to help with the federal food distributions as well.
“I like going to the homes and seeing people,” Le Duc said. “Delivering the food you really get a sense for how fortunate we are. Sometimes during the holidays, like Halloween, I bake cookies and take them to the children whose homes I visit. The same with candy canes and little presents during Christmas.”
Le Duc was anxious to help seniors because they need all the assistance they can get. She understands that it is hard, because pensions don’t go nearly as far as they used to and medications are expensive.
The desire to volunteer is something that has always called to Le Duc. When she was young she remembers that her father had a job where he would associate with people who didn’t work. Because of this, Le Duc has always been around people in need.
The program offers registered volunteers a mileage reimbursement, supplemental accident and liability coverage, a quarterly newsletter that highlights local volunteer opportunities and an annual recognition luncheon in the fall.
“I like helping people, I’ve always done that,” Le Duc said. “My philosophy has always been if you have, you share.”
Those interested in connecting with the RSVP program, may contact Sean Aten at 427-5070.
