Deep East Texas Council of Government (DETCOG) Board Members received a report on the Retired and Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) activities at their January meeting. RSVP Program Director Renee Ricks started by reporting on the program’s food drive held in honor of the MLK Day of Service. It’s estimated that up to 25% of the population of DETCOG Counties are struggling to avoid hunger. Board Members had been asked to bring a non-perishable food item to the meeting. Those contributions will to go to Care & Share of San Augustine, which feeds approximately 600 families per month and provides backpacks filled with food to Headstart children every weekend.
The report on the RSVP program also included the donation of a $15,000 check to DETCOG by the RSVP Advisory Council. The council raises funds by sponsoring trips throughout the year to places as diverse as Alaska and Vermont. The money raised by the Council will be used as matching funds for the RSVP program operating grant.
Senior Corps RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for people 55 and over, with more than 300,000 volunteers nationwide. RSVP Volunteers choose how and where they want to serve and how much time they want to give. If you interested in volunteering in your community, or just want more information about the RSVP Program in Deep East Texas, contact Renee Ricks at (409) 384-5704 ext. 5402.
