RSVP home page to find out more about volunteering through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, or how your non-profit organization can provide volunteer opportunities through RSVP, most anywhere in the United States.

"Anyone thinking of retirement should plan ahead. You've got to have something to do," says Ken Lyons, who retired from NYNEX in 1984. George Bernard Shaw, who said, "A perpetual holiday is a good working definition of hell," would have applauded Lyons' purposeful accumulation of woodworking tools prior to retiring. But a hobby wasn't enough. Lyons explains his doctor recommended more exercise. Now he gets it as an escort at a local Veterans Administration Hospital. Lyons transports patients, and delivers lab samples and packages throughout the building, walking a good five miles during his shift. "Volunteering allows retirees to use their skills and experience without the pressures of work," comments Betty Petrie, Chief of Voluntary Services at the V.A. "These volunteers bring a high level of customer service to the hospital, which the patients recognize and appreciate."

Volunteers getting things done in their communities, as they keep active and involved is what RSVP is all about. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of the Upper Valley and White Mountains works in partnership with over 50 non-profit organizations, proprietary health care facilities, municipalities, and schools. RSVP recruits volunteers 55 and over, and supports them in activities suited to their skills, schedules, and interests.

The benefits of RSVP include:

recognition events, like a dinner or a tea

assistance with travel costs if necessary

free bus passes for Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, Inc. (GCSCC) buses

free supplemental insurance while serving

At RSVP, we're matchmakers. We'll tell you about the numerous volunteer opportunities meeting compelling community needs. You'll be updated on training available through various non-profits. We'll inform you of various application requirements such as department of motor vehicles records checks, or tuberculosis tests. RSVP can make that first contact for you, with continuing support.

Ask Sam Doak, 70 something. A retired sales manager from the papermill industry, Doak moved to the Upper Valley. He called RSVP to find out how to get involved in his new community. He made it clear – he wanted to "make a difference" through direct service. RSVP referred him to one of our unique partners, North Country Thresholds and Decisions (NCTD). After intensive training, Doak taught decision making as part of a five-week pilot project at Hannah House, which serves pregnant and parenting teens. Seven teens, graduated from the course, including one father involved through the outreach program. Randy Walker, Hannah House Director, says, "We're looking forward to a second session of Thresholds this fall."

Doak says, "The effects of my efforts were sometimes obvious, sometimes difficult to discern. The effort is the main thing. My advice – don't retire from trying."

Ask RSVP volunteers about retirement and you will hear the same themes echoed over and over:

"I went from working to nothing…My doctor told me I've probably added 10 years to my life by volunteering." -Ray Powers, retired from Cone-Blanchard, now an escort at the V.A. Hospital.

"I wanted to keep in touch with computers so I wouldn't lose the skills I had." -Edna Daniels, retired from Granite State Electric now does data entry for Lebanon College and SCORE.

"It appeals to a lot of men, because it gives you a focus to get out of the house." -Carl Elsner, retired from the banking services industry, coordinates the Home Patrol program.

"There's no excuse for being bored. Pique your own interests." –Betty Pardoe, retired from Split Ballbearing, helped paint an educational mural at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science.

"You can't rely on your good looks as you get older. You've got to be fun to be with…Get out of the house and see people, that's why I volunteer." –Norma Bouchard, retired from Thermal Dynamics, waits table at the UV Senior Center.

"It makes me realize maybe I'm giving instead of taking." –Fred Doubleday, retired taxi owner and driver, now a home delivered meals driver for the Thompson Senior Center.

RSVP volunteers have found out for themselves what researchers are discovering: volunteering is good for you. In his book, The Healing Power of Doing Good, Allan Luks elaborates on the health and spiritual benefits of direct service. The "helper's high" he describes as similar to a "runner's high" in which exercise stimulates the body's natural painkillers, endorphins. According to Luks, this results in a feeling of euphoria, followed by calm and increased self-esteem. This has positive effects on health problems, similar to the effects of meditation and relaxation.

Luks concludes that volunteers experience the greatest benefits when they:

have direct contact with those they help

volunteer weekly

help strangers

We all benefit from volunteerism. Employers benefit directly and indirectly. Those providing healthcare benefits to retirees have a vested interest in encouraging active lifestyles to promote physical and emotional wellbeing.

Employees at local businesses have their stress reduced by volunteers' efforts in a number of ways. Workers with relatives living at a nursing home know that their own visits are complimented by volunteers like June Greene at Brookside. As Debbie Paradis, Activities Director explains, some residents can't go places but they still like to hear what's going on. "Volunteers are a bridge to the outside world." Gretchen Cole, Activities Director at The Homestead and Merten's House, where Herb Leavitt plays piano, adds that volunteers provide residents with stimulation, socialization and laughter!

Local economies feel the impact of volunteers' activities. There's North Country Thresholds and Decisions (NCTD) teacher, Dick Abbott. A retired postmaster, his work with inmates at the Grafton County Correctional Facility has contributed to a 32% reduction in recidivism by NCTD graduates, helping to make the Upper Valley safer. Betty Rector, 73, retired from Twin State Bank, is going into her seventh year as teacher's aide at the Dothan Brook School. "The kids get a kick out of it – they graduate, but I stay in the third grade." Rector is improving the skills of future employees. So is Russ Follansbee, who celebrated his 90th birthday with class -- the Enfield Area Headstart class that is. Follansbee is in his third year doing woodworking with the students, ages 3-5. Patricia Stevens, Headstart teacher, explains that the children are learning listening skills and fine motor coordination, as well as improving their self esteem.

Non-profit organizations get help with their workloads enabling staff to spend more time on other projects. Linda Gibson of Lebanon College explains course evaluations would never get summarized without Edna Daniels' help. The instructors use these to improve their courses.

In some cases, non-profits rely entirely on volunteers to meet community needs. At the Mascoma Area Senior Center, volunteers like retired railroad man Nate Harpootlian deliver meals to homebound people like Bessy Arnold because they enjoy it. Arnold enjoys it, too. "It breaks up my day. And they check on me to see if I'm all right." Dana Michalovic, Senior Center Director explains, "It takes a small commitment for a large return to help these people stay in their own homes."

So, when you retire, enjoy it! Travel, take up a hobby, go back to school, visit friends, and when you're ready, volunteer!

The RSVP of the Upper Valley and White Mountains has some special projects for which we're recruiting volunteers:

The Recycle Game®, an educational board game designed by RSVP volunteer Bill Mitchell, to teach recycling and citizenship

America Reads, involves reading to and listening to student grades k-3 as they read.

The RSVP Go-Getters, training and supporting volunteer drivers in partnership with organizations meeting transportation needs.

Home Patrol, security checks of unoccupied homes.

We're also looking for volunteers to: go fishing! play an instrument! teach others to use the Internet! coordinate gala fundraising activities!

Locally, RSVP is sponsored by Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, Inc. and supported by the United Way. RSVP has a national affiliation, so wherever your retirement takes you, call RSVP to get involved locally. In the Upper Valley, call (603) 448-1825. If you're online, check out our web site at www.valley.net/~rsvp/ and find out how you can get involved in your community.

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This article originally appeared in the Valley Business Journal, Fall 1997 issue.