Nov-Dec 2009 Henderson/Transylvania Co.
Beating the holiday blues
Plan ahead to ease holiday stress
RSVP Newsletter Enriching Lives Meeting Community Needs RSVP Coordinators Patti Cameron ext 126 Buncombe & Madison Patti@landofsky.org, Vicki Jennings, Ext. 130 Henderson & Transylvania Vicki@landofsky.org Program Assistant Brenda DeLaCruz ext. 132 @landofsky.org (Call Brenda for Theatre Tickets) Tel: (828)-251-6622 or 1-800-727-0557
For many, the holidays are about traditions – the eggnog, the decorations, gathering family and loved ones for a visit. But for others, the holidays become a time of stress and loneliness as families are miles apart, and our focus becomes clouded by the tinsel and lights. This is also the time of year when many older adults begin to feel lonelier than at any other time of the year. “Loneliness is a natural byproduct of the holidays, because of the break in our daily routine,” says Dan Russell, a professor of human development with Iowa State Univer-
In This Issue New RSVP Benefit The Traveling Volunteer...Pg. 2 Short, Long-term opportunities Find your niche………...Pg. 4-5 New RSVP Initiative Victim Assistance………...Pg 6 Spotlight Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions……......Pg 7
sity. “The things we normally do tend to slow down during the holidays, which means we have more time to sit and think about our individual situations.” Russell recommends that seniors, in particular, find new ways to connect with others if they feel themselves begin to feel the effects of loneliness. “Tis the season to reconnect with both relatives and friends, or possibly make new friends,” he said. Please see Stress on Page 6
Beating the holiday blues
Enjoy a meal with others
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Special Thanks to our Newsletter Sponsor
RSVP is committed to assisting our members find meaningful ways to spend the holidays helping, serving and building relationships with others. One of those ways is to spend time socializing around the lunch table. Several of our stations sponsor “Congregate Meals,” which is where seniors from your area get together and enjoy a nutritious meal for little or no charge. The meals are provided by the Home and Community Care Block Grant – your tax dollars at work! Each meal site has a coordinator and a registration process, so if you’re looking for a way to connect with seniors in your area, check out the congregate meal site near you! Henderson County Henderson County Council on Aging (828) 692-3320 Transylvania County Western Carolina Community Action (828) 884-3219
Get on the Bus with...
The Traveling Volunteer Introducing a new benefit for RSVP members and other Land-of-Sky volunteers
One of the things RSVP strives to do is help today’s seniors build relationships and live healthy, active lives! This new program, The Traveling Volunteer, seeks to accomplish those goals and have a great time, too! With The Traveling Volunteer, seniors can enjoy the benefits of taking a trip without having to worry with the details and expense of travel. Through a partnership with local travel provider Runion Tours and Travel, our volunteers have a unique opportunity to explore sights through throughout the Southeast without the fuss of driving through traffic, booking hotel rooms or car rentals, purchasing tickets or making reservations. With The Traveling Volunteer, all the work is done for you! Who is eligible? All volunteers who are affiliated with Land-of-Sky Regional Council and its programs are eligible to register for these exciting trips. That means volunteers with: • RSVP • Foster Grandparent Program • Senior Companion Program • Volunteer stations (those places you volunteer) - may purchase trips as a benefit, incentive or award for their volunteers. What is the cost? Each trip is different and the cost depends on where we go and the activities we choose. For example, a day trip to shop in Pigeon Forge will be much cheaper than an overnight trip to Charleston! But the cost for each trip includes round-trip transportation aboard a luxury motor coach and at least one meal. You will know the cost of the trip upfront...no surprises! We have also developed payment plans so our volunteers can more easily fit a trip into their household budgets. We require a small deposit to hold your place, then additional payments can be made until the balance is paid in full. What about Friends? While The Traveling Volunteer will provide lots of opportunities to make new friends, many participants may want to take a friend or family member with them when they travel. No problem! Since the program is designed for Land-of-Sky volunteers, those not affiliated with LOS are welcome to accompany any trip for an additional fee! Also, if a friend or family member is eligible to be a volunteer with LOSRC, they can register with RSVP and go for the volunteer rate. Now that’s a win-win for everyone! How do I register? It’s easy! Each time a trip becomes available, volunteers can request a registration form, which will give you more information about the trip (dates, costs, etc.) . Once we have received your completed form and deposit, you are registered for the trip. We will send you reminders about future payments (if applicable) and other information prior to departure.
Want to go? Introducing our first trip with The Traveling Volunteer
A day of shopping in Pigeon Forge with lunch at The Apple Barn Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 8:30 a.m.—5 p.m. Join other volunteers, friends and family for a day in Pigeon Forge, TN. Look at the lights, finish your holiday shopping and then enjoy lunch at the Apple Barn. Date: Tuesday, December 8th Price: $39 per person includes lunch at the Apple Barn Departing: 8:30 a.m. Returning: 5 p.m. (all times are approximate) The $15 non-refundable deposit and registration form is due by November 17th. The balance of $24 is due on Monday, December 7th. If you are interested, please feel free to contact Vicki in the Land-of-Sky offices and to request a registration form. Phone: (828) 251-6622 ext. 130 Email: Vicki@landofsky.org
Here are some other great trip ideas! • • • •
A tour of Savannah with lunch at Paula Deen’s restaurant. A play at the Barter Theatre in Virginia A tour of the holiday decorations in historic Williamsburg A tour of the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta
Have your own ideas? Contact Vicki at the Land-of-Sky offices! Land of Sky Blood Drive
A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this year’s Day of Caring for Land-ofSky Regional Council. A total of 60 people contributed in various ways from working the registration table to donating snacks. For the blood drive, 46 units of blood were collected and we had 5 first time donors. Here are a few pictures from the event:
On-Going Opportunities Henderson County Opportunities Henderson County Heritage Museum needs volunteers in the gift shop and as museum docents. Morning and afternoon shifts available.
R
on-SVP offers short and on going volunteer opportunities for volunteers 55+. There are opportunities for even the busiest person. For
AARP Tax Aide Program in need of volunteers to be trained in tax preparation. Call Joe Mullen at (828) 692-6069 Hands On! A Child’s Gallery is in need of gallery volunteers and receptionists for varying shifts and days. Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy needs a receptionist to cover the front desk. Varying shifts/days available.
Recipe for Volunteering by Naznin Dhanani
2 cups of listening 1 teaspoon of trust 1 ½ cups of kindness 1 teaspoon of honesty 2 cups of happiness 1 cup responsibility 1 cup of patience & laughter 1 tablespoon of communication 1 tablespoon of compromise 1 dash of commitment 2 teaspoons of give and take 2 dashes of forgiveness 2 tablespoons of appreciation of each other ¾ cup of tolerance Method: Combine listening, trust and kindness. Mix well. Add communication, honesty and compromise. Blend. Cream happiness, commitment and responsibility until light and fluffy. Sift together patience, give and take and laughter. Fold together gently. Add dashes of forgiveness, to taste. Top with appreciation and tolerance. Results: “Remembering the essence of volunteering”. You will need to follow the instructions very carefully to end up with the results you want! From : http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/join-the-network/ blogs/ivd2006-blog/doc/recipe-for-volunteering.html
Transylvania County Opportunities SAFE Attic and Attic Interiors needs volunteers for both morning and afternoon shifts for most days of the week. Also need volunteers to help test electrical equipment (battery replacement, light repair work). Shifts are three hours per week. Transylvania County Volunteers in Medicine needs pharmacists, pharmacy techs and administrative help in the pharmacy clinic. Also need a variety of professionals (MDs, RNs, etc.) to help with clinic times, as well as volunteers to help with office work, medical filing, etc. Transylvania Regional Hospital needs volunteers in the Gift Shop, Clerical duties, Outpatient Registration and Patient Services. Most days/shifts available. Koala Adult Day Services needs volunteers to help during the day with activities. They also need volunteer drivers who can pick-up clients in the morning and take them home in the afternoons. Reliable transportation and up-to-date insurance coverage needed. Transylvania County Sheriff’s Department needs volunteers to help in the VIP Volunteer Patrol program. Volunteers are also needed to help with school crossing guards, fingerprint assistance and clerical work. Brevard Police Department also needs volunteers to help with clerical work, in the crossing guard program and in the Reassurance Program.
Short Term Opportunities Sharing House—Brevard Volunteers are needed in different areas to help with the holiday season: *Thanksgiving Food Drive—Volunteers needed to help staff tables *Intake Volunteers—Needed to interview families seeking assistance during the holidays *Gift Wrapping—Volunteers needed to wrap gifts for those children sponsored by Sharing House Children and Family Resource Center—Hendersonville Volunteers are needed to help with the Birth Network Expo at the Blue Ridge Mall on Saturday, November 14th. There will be more than 64 exhibitors at the event, and they are expecting 200 attendees. Volunteers are needed for one-hour shifts to staff information tables. Salvation Army—Henderson County Needs volunteers to help with the following upcoming holiday projects: Bell Ringers—November 27—December 24. 9 a.m.—8 p.m.; Various shifts in 14 kettle locations. Coat Drive—December 14 from 9 a.m.—3 p.m. Need help with drop-off and sorting of donated coats. Also need help with distribution of coats on December 17 & 18 from 9 a.m.—4 p.m. Angel Tree—Volunteers needed to help with sorting and assigning items received for Angel Tree participants. 9 a.m.—3 p.m. December 15 & 16. Manna Food Bank—Regional effort Volunteers are needed to help with the Ingles’ Giving Tree at Asheville Mall. The Tree is located outside of Barnes & Noble, and volunteers are asked to help collect donations, thank those who donate, and give out Manna literature to those interested.
Operation Toasty Toes Sending comfort and warmth to the troops through handcrafted items Operation Toasty Toes is one of our newest stations, and they need volunteers for the following events: November 7, 2009: First United Methodist Church Annual Craft Fair, Church St. and 5th Avenue Shifts are available from 10 a.m.—3 p.m. Volunteers are needed for 2-3 hour shifts to help at the cash register or to help with set-up and take down. November 7, 2009: Scottish Highland Games at Jackson Park Shifts are available from 10 a.m.—4 p.m. November 28, 2009: Decorating Armed Forces Christmas Tree for the Hendersonville Heritage Museum. December 4, 2009: Old Fashioned Christmas at the Hendersonville Heritage Museum Shifts available from 5 p.m.—9 p.m. All funds raised through these events will be used to send packages to our troops.
RSVP New Initiative
Victim’s Assistance Program In 1999 an AARP survey found that older consumers are disproportionately vulnerable to telemarketing fraud. 56% of those identified by the survey as targets of telemarketing fraud were age 50 or older. Unable to replace assets lost to these fraud artists, the financial and psychological impact of telemarketing fraud on senior victims can be devastating. RSVP, the Area Agency on Aging and the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services, and the NC Attorney General’s Office are working together to create a Victims Assistance Program (VAP). The Victims Assistance Program utilizes the skills and availability of trained senior volunteers to assist the special detectives in the State Attorney General’s Office to provide follow-up with community seniors who have been victims of crime to assess their level of functioning, explore a safety plan, identify community and social supports and make referrals to professionals in areas where appropriate and ultimately to reduce the incidence of repeat scams. Training will be conducted at Land-of-Sky Regional Council on March 31, 2010, from 10 a.m.—2 p.m. Lunch will be included. For more information on the project please go to: http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/aging/vap.htm
Stress Continued from Page 1
"Seniors can also try to find some projects that involve some social interactivity during the holidays. They are typically more abundant during this time of year." And while family is important, Russell reminds seniors that they don’t have to spend the entire holiday with family if it is too stressful. “We want to see our children and grandchildren, but spending two weeks away from our friends and daily routines may be too much. Plan accordingly,” he says. Russell also reminds seniors that being honest with family members with things like finances, schedules and personal wishes is best. “If its been awhile since we’ve seen our families, they may assume that everything is the same as it was the last visit when, in reality, your energy level may be less, or you may have less income to spend on gifts,” he says. “Letting your children know up front that there may be fewer gifts this year or that you may not have the energy to watch the grandkids every night of your visit is better than surprising them when you arrive.” And don’t be afraid to get involved, Russell says. Most nonprofit organizations who offer community services are looking people throughout the holiday season—not just on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. “The best way to avoid the holiday blues is to get involved helping others,” he said. “This takes the focus off of ourselves and helps us get a better perspective on our world.” RSVP members can find holiday volunteer opportunities in this newsletter and on our website: http://sites.google.com/site/rsvpserniorcorp/Home
Spotlight on...
Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions Higher incomes and lower age requirements opens doors to more volunteers
Foster Grandparents are trusted mentors, confidants and friends to children in need. Their goal is to help children with special needs improve their reading, motor skills, temperament and behavior. Their efforts enhance a child’s physical development, improve the child’s self-esteem and, in general, serve the children as invaluable role models. These mentoring adults are age 55 or better and volunteer twenty hours per week either in a preschool or elementary school setting. While providing this assistance to children, the volunteers receive a stipend of $225 per month to supplement their monthly income. This stipend does not count as income and does not affect other benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, rent subsidy or supplemental security income. Volunteers also receive mileage reimbursement, paid vacation and sick leave. Foster Grandparents give of themselves every day. They are busy, but never too busy to give their time and energies to children with special needs who greatly appreciate the love and attention they receive. If you or someone you know would like to make a difference in the life of a child through the Foster Grandparent Program, contact Stacy, Foster Grandparent Program manager, at the Land-of-Sky offices—(828) 251-6622 ext. 131.
Senior Companions Enrich the lives of Senior Adults while keeping them independent
The Senior Companion Program is seeking volunteers to serve in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties. We are looking for Senior Companion volunteers to serve in Adult Day facilities assisting staff with activities and volunteers to serve in the home of homebound seniors providing assistance to individuals who may have trouble with daily living tasks or providing respite to family caregivers. To qualify, you must be at least 55 years of age, meet income guidelines and be willing to commit to volunteering between 15 and 40 hours per week, depending on your schedule. Volunteers are reimbursed a tax-free stipend of $2.65 per hour and receive 13 paid holidays, vacation, sick days and mileage reimbursement. If you or someone you know would like to help a fellow senior stay independent in his or her home, please contact Tracy Ash, Senior Companion Program Manager, at our offices here at Land-of-Sky Regional Council at (828) 251-6622 ext. 128.
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program Enriching Lives, Meeting Community Needs
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RSVP is a program of the Land-of-sky Regional Council. 339 New Leicester Hwy, Suite 140, Asheville, NC 28806 Tel: (828)-251-6622 or 1-800-727-0557
Station Events & Galas “Doc the Halls” - Just what the Doctor ordered! Annual Fundraiser—Transylvania County Volunteers in Medicine Thursday, December 3rd. 6—9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of music, delicious food and wine, as well as silent and live auctions at the Glen Cannon Country Club. Tickets are $45 per person, and all proceeds benefit the Free Clinic of Transylvania County. For more information, contact TCVIM at (828) 883-4454.
Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary Events TH (11/12) - SA (11/14) - A series of events celebrating the Parkway's anniversary will be held in Cherokee and in Asheville. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.blueridgeparkway75.org. The first event is listed below. Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary Events Opening Weekend – Asheville NC Natural Resource Stewardship Presentation Thurs, Nov 12, 2009 , 5:00 p.m. Light reception, 6:00 p.m. Presentation The public is invited to participate in this program that encourages “untold stories” related to natural resource stewardship and national parks. Special guest Dr. Gerard Baker, Superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial and featured in Ken Burns’s National Parks documentary series, will present Natural Resource Stewardship – An American Indian Legacy and Model for Our Future. For more information call Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc. Leesa Brandon 828.271.4779, x 224