Special Interest:

AARP Driver Safety

Class

Volunteer Opportunities

Newsletter

Prepared By:

Dean Morgan

Manager: Betty M. Ruth

May-June-July 2020Volume 1, Issue 81 Broadcasting

RSVP

Inside this Issue:

Calendars 2

New MemberS 3

Sick List 3

In Sympathy 3

Director’s Corner Wow! The sun has been shining, flowers are blooming and spring has finally sprung! Spring always brings with it a freshness and creativity that helps to make us feel better while longing to be outdoors. And just like the seasons, RSVP uses this time every year to take a new look at ways we can serve our community. What could you do to better serve your community? Could you check on more homebound friends, take food to shut-ins, or if the time is right, stop by for a brief visit. Could you possibly grocery shop for a homebound person, or provide transportation to them? Could you call RSVP office and ask if there is an agency in need of help and you could volunteer at the agency? We need to continue to think of new ways to help your neighbors, do what you love to do to the best of your ability, follow your heart and stay focused. Time has a way of changing all and everything around you. The Corona Virus of 2020 changed our lives. This is a life changing time that I have never seen and pray I will never see anything like this again. The Virus kept us on lockdown, but you still were checking on your friends and neighbors through it all. Some continued to deliver meals to the homebound, grocery shop for the homebound, and best of all, you were a neighbor to all. March 19th was the last day, RSVP Tax Counselors in Athens filed tax returns. The Decatur Public Library closed their door on March 7th. While we continue to receive numerous phone calls from people needing tax assistance, we are unable at this time to provide the service. IRS has extended the filing deadline to July 15 at the present time. Keep in mind this could change since our situation today is very fluid. When and if we can, Tax Counselors want to provide the needed service and we will put out Public Service Announcements as appropriate. By now, all have received the letter from the Census Bureau. The letter was mailed March 12-20 providing you with instructions on how to complete the census. If you are having problems, call 256-232-7207 and we will assist you. Census information tells the federal government how many people live in a state. Those numbers assist in how much federal dollars are appropriated to a state for use on education, roads, improvements for rural utilities, housing assistance for older adults and numerous other federal projects. Do your part and complete the 2020 Census information. RSVP 2020 volunteer recognition was a success this year. We are so thankful, the luncheon was held before the COVID-19 mandatory shutdown. Dr. Phillip Way, President of Athens State University was the guest speaker. He and his wife, Cheryl were our honored guests. Lunch was delicious and from all comments, everyone enjoyed the food. Thank you for completing the survey and it appears you are satisfied being a RSVP VOLUNTEER and the services you provide. Keep up the good work and help us make Athens-Limestone County a better community. We need your help in reporting your volunteer hours for mandatory reports to the funders. Please tell us how many people you are serving, number of meals you delivered, number of phone calls, how many veterans you may have served. These are the kind of helpful information we need in addition to your wellbeing. Thank you for being

JUNE CALENDAR

June 12-13 Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo.

June 14 Flag Day

June 16 American Legion Chicken Stew 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eat in:

$7.00 Includes drink and dessert. Take Out: $7.00 Quart. Call 256-230-6233

June 21 Father’s Day

MAY CALENDAR

May 10 Mother’s Day

May 16 Armed Forces Day (USA)

May 19 American Legion Chicken Stew 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eat in:

$7.00 Includes drink and dessert. Take Out: $7.00 Quart. Call 256-230-6233

May 25 Memorial Day – RSVP Office ClosedBroadcasting 2

Broadcasting 3

JULY CALENDAR

July 4 Independence Day

July 21 American Legion Chicken Stew 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eat in: $7.00

Includes drink and dessert. Take Out: $7.00 Quart. Call 256-230-

6233

AARP Driver Safety Class, June 3, 2020, at Athens-Limestone Visitor Center, 100 Beaty Street North, Athens, AL, 9:00-4:00. $15-AARP members and $20-Non members for certificate and materials. Call Tony Generette 630 992-8669 or Visitor Center 256 232-5411

SICK LIST

The following Article was written by Rachel Robinson King on July 31,1953 in her Senior English Class at Elkmont High School. Rachel passed away on February 5, 2020. This was read at her Graveside by her sister.

Life and a RoseTo me, life is like a rose in many ways. The rose is first just a bud, so small and beautiful. Soon, it bursts forth, flaming with its brilliant and glowing colors. As the days pass, it becomes withered and soon dies. Life first starts as a small bud, so much like the rose. As the years pass, it blooms forth with wonder and loveliness into a full grown man or woman. Just as the rose, life becomes withered with each year. It soon closes its eyes in rest to be replaced by another young life. Just so, the rose is replaced by another young bud. This young bud and young life will then start their exciting journey with shining faces, reflected by the sun’s rays, through glorious and unpleasant

Happy Birthday to all of our May, June and July Volunteers. Hope you have many more Happy, Healthy Birthdays.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS  Pamela Carpenter - Tutor/Community Service John Whitaker – Taxes - Community

THANK YOU NOTES:Some of you may know Ms. Elsie Brosnan. She and her husband were RSVP Members before they moved to Illinois. We continue to send her our Newsletter, as well as our invitations to our breakfasts and luncheon. Following is a sweet note we received from Ms. Brosnan:

“Hi Friends! Thank you for sending to me the news of RSVP via Broadcasting. I look forward to reading the news of my favorite “little” times of Athens. I remember all the names mentioned, bringing back so many great memories. I was 100 years on the 19th of January. Still putting one foot in front of the other. Thank you so much for bringing me the news of Athens. Sincere wishes to all the staff, Elsie Brosnan”

The staff and all your friends in Athens said “Belated Happy Birthday, Ms. Elsie; We wish you many more!”

Mary Nelle Clem wrote “I wanted you to know how much we enjoyed the RSVP Luncheon. Cracker Barrel was a great choice! The best food you have served. Thank you for everything you do for our community.”

Empty Bowls Steering Committee thanked RSVP for our time and talent at the Empty Bowls event. Thanks to the RSVP “eager to help” volunteers on the day of the event. RSVP volunteers helped to raise over $11,000 for the hungry in our community. Chairperson Emily Clem stated “our hearts are full”, and now, thanks to you, LCCI and the Full Tummy/Backpack

Rachel King – 2-5-2020Edna Greenhaw – 2-11-2020Rhonda McMullins Sister-in-lawShelia White’s Son

In remembranceWe wish to express our condolences

to each of you in the recent loss of your loved ones. 

 

Carolyn BennettViola BenfordBobbie BrooksBeverly BrowningCharles ClemPhilip CoscoRegina EmersonJ. D. JonesJeanette JonesDavid KobeckCharlie Lenz

Carol LockeBetty LovellAlice MoorePat MorellBertha NallsHelene PollardRuby SingerBarbara SteckEdith WaddellTalmadge Waddell

Food for Thought“A wife who loses a husband is called a widow; a husband who loses a wife is called a widower; a child who loses their parents is called an orphan. There is no word for a parent who loses a child; that’s how awful the loss is.”

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - RSVP VOLUNTEERS GET THINGS DONE! CALL RSVP AT 256-232-7207 TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Since this School Year has been cut short due to the CoronaVirus, School Tutors will be needed in the City and County Schools for School Year 2020-2021: RSVP will be recruiting volunteers to go into the city and county schools to work with children in grades K-3, helping them with their reading skills. If you are interested in volunteering in any particular school, please call and RSVP will be happy to place you in that school.

Veterans’ Museum: Volunteers are needed at various times to work 3-hourshifts. Volunteers are especially needed to work on Saturdays.

Meals on Wheels:   Volunteers needed to deliver meals to Home-bound Clients one day a month or as often as you like.  Call RSVP at

RSVP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, language, or disability in employment or the provision of