BRATTLEBORO — Green Mountain RSVP celebrates National Volunteer Week during the last week of April each year, although they appreciate the time and efforts of their volunteers every day.
The organization partners with local nonprofits, matching people age 55 and older with meaningful volunteer opportunities. In Bennington, Windham, and Windsor counties, it currently has 356 active volunteers assisting 100 nonprofits.
“Some of our amazing volunteers have been volunteering for well over 25 years,” Steve Ovenden, Windham County volunteer coordinator, said in a news release. “Once retired, they wasted no time to find a way to keep busy and to give back to their community.”
Ovenden said people choose to volunteer for many different reasons. “For some folks, it offers the chance to give back to their community,” he said. “For others, it provides companionship, builds upon their skills and experience, and/or allows the volunteer to advocate for something they are passionate about.”
Green Mountain RSVP has volunteers who serve American Red Cross Blood drives and the AARP tax aide program. They staff area food shelves, drive to medical appointments, help at hospitals, do mentoring in schools, visit home-bound seniors, help with activities at assisted living centers, and deliver Meals-on-Wheels.
“Until you have worked at a nonprofit organization or volunteered at one, it is hard to understand how much gets accomplished in the community by volunteers who give just a few hours a week to help further a cause or make life better for others,” Ovenden said.