cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com
BY CHELSEA JENSEN |WEST HAWAII TODAY
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program participants on Friday celebrated years of community service while looking ahead to the organization’s future.
“This is a milestone year,” said program Director Eddie Yokoyama, noting 2012 marks RSVP’s 40th year on Hawaii Island. “Recognizing our volunteers is one of the most important things we can do. We need to show (them) they are appreciated, because the money they save nonprofits, health care agencies and local government just can’t be measured.”
More than 300 West Hawaii residents were recognized for their altruism Friday during the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation Elderly Activities Division’s annual RSVP luncheon held at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Seventeen were recognized for at least 20 years of service, with two having notched 30 years.
Honored for three decades of service, Kapaau resident Rose Rosimo, 91, said being a volunteer in her community is gratifying because it allows her to meet new people and share her knowledge of North Kohala.
“I wanted to do what the community did for me while I was growing up,” she said. “We’re not just doing it for our community, but also for ourselves, because it feels good to express our love and share our knowledge.”
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program was established on Hawaii Island in 1972, just one year after the national program began, Yokoyama said. The federal grant-funded program offers those age 55 and older a range of volunteer opportunities designed to meet not only seniors’ needs, but also address critical community needs.
Some of the volunteer opportunities include manning an information booth at the West Hawaii Civic Center, assisting at the Hawaii Food Basket, helping feed the homeless, and taking part in Blood Bank of Hawaii drives.
“The volunteer opportunities are more defined than in the past,” he said and noted a national five-year strategic plan has changed the organization’s goals. “For the past 40 years, it’s been about seniors and serving seniors, but now it’s about meeting the critical needs of the community and island.”
To do that, Yokoyama said the organization needs to draw new volunteers, which is why the program’s age limit was dropped from 60 to 55. He hopes the change will bring new blood into the program, which now boasts 1,400 volunteers islandwide.
“You don’t have to be retired, you just have to be 55 and over,” he said. “We’re hoping baby boomers will replace those who have passed on.”
For Ruby Ann Kahoonei, a 17-year volunteer hailing from South Kona, assisting at the Hawaii Food Basket is fulfilling because she is able to help fellow residents in need. The RSVP West Hawaii Advisory Council member also transports seniors to meetings and appointments and delivers food to clients.
“It feels right to help people who really are having a hard time,” she said. “It just feels good to do something good for the community.”
Anyone in West Hawaii interested in the program should call 323-4333 or visit the Elderly Activities Division office at the West Hawaii Civil Center. In East Hawaii, call 961-8730 or visit the division’s office at the Kamana Senior Center in Hilo.
cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com