RETIRED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM R E TI R E Volume 13, Issue 2 March/April American Red Cross, Carolina Lowcountry Chapter T H E L OWC O U N T RY L I N K from the Director High 58 degrees...Really? I am told it is Spring, but it surely does not feel like it. Lots going on in the Lowcountry in the next couple of months.. Home tours, garden tours, kayak races, triathlon and festivals galore. INTERESTING (BUT USELESS) FACTS ~ A jellyfish is 95 percent water. ~"Jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second. ~Almonds are a member of the peach family. ~Giraffes have no vocal cords. ~It takes a lobster approximately seven years to grow to be one pound. ~Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different. ~Almost a quarter of the land area of Los Angeles is taken up by automobiles. ~Longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds. Then there is National Volunteer Week April 21-27. If you volunteer at an agency, please let them thank you for your service. It is one more thing you can do for them. It makes them feel good. Every year since 1963, May has been a month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their contributions to our communities. The theme for Older Americans Month 2013, Unleash the Power of Age, has never been more fitting. Older Americans are productive, active, and influential members of society, sharing essential talents, wisdom, and life experience with their families, friends, and neighbors. May 6-10 includes Corps Week. Senior This year’s theme is Making a Difference for Generations. And that is true. Senior Corps Volunteers have been making a difference since 1971. Keep up the good work… Pam Dillon RSVP Offices in Dorchester & Berkeley Counties …...UPDATE!...... NEW OFFICE SPACE FOR OUR COUNTY COORDINATORS Cathy Quenga Dorchester County First Citizens Bank 218 S. Main Street Summerville 879-3549 Patricia Horry Berkeley County Goodwill 136 Rembert C. Dennis Blvd. Moncks Corner 899-2100 Our sincere thank you to First Citizens Bank and Goodwill for their commitment to our communities. Go by and visit, but be sure and call first. ________________________________ Al West, Mary Bos and Ray Henderson (l-r) returning from helping with the 108 apartment fire in Myrtle Beach. These are dynamic volunteers that travel everywhere to help out. Yeah, they look and ARE tired, but they love helping others. The new website address for the American Red Cross/RSVP is www.redcross.org/CarolinaLowcountry Sadly RSVP’s page got lost in the change, but we are rebuilding it. Should be on line by April 8th. The Lowcountry Link Page 2 W E LC O M E N E W V O LU N T E E R S ! (JANUARY 25—MARCH 25, 2013) Linda Baker Elizabeth Guillette Mary Jo Murphy Joan Benbrook Gary Harloff R.D. Maner Praileau Linda Boomhower Mark Harris Delores Ravenell Helen Crosby Joy Howe Gloria Reynolds Renford Crosby Josie James Kathy Roach Chris Czander Dorothy Jenkins Jeryl Ryll Linda Dowd Henry Jenkins Raymond Schmelter Doug Elliott Willie Mae Johnson Linda Schulkin Kathy Elliott Charlene Jones Helen Shirley Elouise Fenley Patty Kitchens Steve Weiss David Ferguson Ed Kridler Carolyn Williams Ruth Fludd Mike Kuszmaul Mary Wilson Richard Gill Alesha Lockwood Eleanor Gillians Dot Lucas Cathy Gordon Brenda Mack HELLO Welcome to our newest Volunteer Station and Station Representative ROPER ST. FRANCIS HOSPICE CARE Ruthie Rivers Volunteer Coordinator CA N YO U H E L P ? CHARLESTON ROPER HOSPITAL Volunteers needed to man Information Desks to assist patients and their families. Four hours a week would be a big help. Lunch provided for each 4 hour shift. Training, background check and TB testing provided. Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for. ….Joseph Addison SC AQUARIUM Looking for exhibit guides (and there are a couple husbandry openings.) They will be holding interviews at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm from April 29 through May 5. The next orientation is May 7 from 5:30-8:30 pm. (You must AMERICAN RED CROSS GROUNDBREAKING The groundbreaking for the new American Red Cross Building was held with a nice reception afterwards. Above enjoying snacks and iced tea is (l to r) Raymond and Ann Borelli, Cathy Quenga, Pam Dillon and Sue Bennett. Building is due to be completed end of November 2013. Please remember, these are just a few of the available assignments. have an interview before the orientation.) Contact: [email protected] 764-2323 x381 ROPER ST. FRANCIS HOMECARE Help needed in their office on Tobias Gadson Blvd., West Ashley. Four hours once a week would be a big help. Orientation will be held at St. Francis Hospital. AMERICAN RED CROSS Don’t forget, June is just two months away. Now is the time to get trained to help our community if a hurricane should come ashore. Many positions needed. You must begin with an orientation to the R e d Cr os s a n d a background check. DORCHESTER AGING GRACEFULLY Ladson Rd. Summerville Volunteers needed to help on field trips, crafts, reading and more. MEALS ON WHEELS Volunteers needed as regular or subs to deliver meals. This is a rewarding opportunity. Choose once a week or once a month. Page 3 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE Volunteers help with sales, pricing, and cashiering (even a little dusting.) A great opportunity for fun and meeting new friends. Contact: Cathy Quenga [email protected] 879-3549 BERKELEY CYPRESS GARDENS Spring is a beautiful time to volunteer at Cypress Gardens. If you love being outdoors, think about volunteering there once a week. readiness and maintain reading, writing, and math skills. This is a free tutoring program for Colleton county youths in Grades K—12. Volunteers must have a High School Diploma. Contact Shiela, the Children’s Librarian, no later than April 15th for more information or to sign up to help. Program runs from June 7th to August 1st. Ms. Shiela Keaise [email protected] 843-549-5621, ext. 4 899-2100 COLLETON MUSEUM Help needed at the front desk to answer the phone and perform other tasks as needed. Contact Gary Brightwell 549-2303. TUTORING PROGRAM 600 Hampton Street Walterboro A Literacy initiative offered by the Colleton County Memorial Library to improve school Spend an enjoyable afternoon in the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant as a home docent for the Old Village Home, Garden & Art Tour benefiting the American Red Cross. Sample tastings from local chefs in kitchens or on patios, view art for sale in Edwards Park, and “Ask the Garden Expert” Susan Reed-Campbell of Abide-A-While Garden Center your questions. Sunday, April 21, 2013 3pm-5pm Contact Bobbie Puckett to sign up. Call 324-1866 or Email: [email protected] Important Info on Shampoo Contact: Patricia Horry [email protected] COLLETON HOME, GARDEN & ART TOUR RSVP has been asked to make dozens of these dolls to be given out at Alzheimer’s Support Group meetings. Caregivers are given one and instructed to take out their frustration on them. Some of the dolls get used up and brought back for a replacement. Cotton material, stuffing and thread are needed. If you are doing some Spring cleaning and run across these items, please think of us. Just discovered this important info below. I don't know WHY I didn't figure this out sooner!!!!! It's the shampoo I use in the shower! When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body, and (duh!), printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning... "FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY." No WONDER I have been gaining weight!!! I've gotten rid of that shampoo and I'm going to start using Dawn dish soap instead. Its label reads... "DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE." Problem solved! (If I don't answer the phone I'll be in the shower.) Sent in by Tom Lufkin...thanks Tom! Yarn is also needed for volunteers to make into small afghans for disaster clients when they have lost everything in a fire. “I entered retirement unencumbered by the burdens of wealth.” Robert Fassbach R E T I R E D & S E NI O R V O L U NT E E R P R O G R A M 8085 Rivers Avenue, Suite F N. Charleston, SC 29406 ________________ NON-PROFIT U.S. Postage PAID Charleston, SC Permit No. 262 ________________ RETURNED SERVICE REQUESTED RSVP is a Program of the Corporation for National & Community Service Locally sponsored by the American Red Cross, Carolina Lowcountry Chapter RSVP Offices Charleston 843-764-2323 NEWEST RSVP ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER Pam Dillon ext. 381 [email protected] The Nine Characteristics of the Blue Zone Lifestyle to a Longer and Healthier Life 1. Just Move - Take up walking and walk everywhere possible. Marlene Williamon Ext. 380 [email protected] 2. Purpose Now - Have a reason to wake up in the morning. Dorchester Cathy Quenga 879-3549 [email protected] 3. Down Shift - Find ways to eliminate stress. Berkeley Patricia Horry 899-2100 [email protected] Colleton 843-549-6617 Jenniemae Price [email protected] 4. 80% Rule - Stop eating before you are full. RSVP Advisory Council Chairman, John Flinn (l), welcomes new member Shirley Coggin (r) with her council handbook. Shirley is the Director of Volunteers at the SC Aquarium. We are delighted to have Shirley join our team. If I can stop one heart from breaking I shall not have lived in vain. …...Emily Dickinson 5. Plant Slant - Eat more fruits and vegetables and limit meats 6. Do a Bit of "Wine-ing" Each Day - One or two drinks can be good . 7. Belong to a Faith-Based Community any one will do 8. Put Loved Ones First - Invest in positive relationships with family. 9. Right Tribe - Surround yourself with supportive people