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 Tick-ets) Tel: (828)-251-6622 or 1-800-727-0557

http://sites.google.com/site/rsvpserniorcorp/Home

Nov-Dec 2009 Henderson/Transylvania Co.

Special Thanks to our Newsletter Sponsor

Beating the holiday bluesBeating the holiday blues

Plan ahead to ease holiday stressPlan ahead to ease holiday stress

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

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 by-product of the holidays, because of the break in our daily routine,” says Dan Russell, a professor of human development with Iowa State Univer-

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 con-nect 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.

Beating the holiday bluesBeating the holiday blues

Enjoy a meal with othersEnjoy a meal with others

RSVP is committed to assisting our members find meaningful ways to spend the holidays helping, serving and building relationships with oth-ers. 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

Please see Stress on Page 6

Get on the Bus with...Get on the Bus with...

The Traveling VolunteerThe Traveling Volunteer Introducing a new benefit for RSVPIntroducing a new benefit for RSVP

members and other Landmembers and other Land--ofof--Sky volunteersSky 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 Vol-unteer, 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 ex-ample, 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 par-ticipants 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 ac-company 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 com-pleted form and deposit, you are registered for the trip. We will send you reminders about future pay-ments (if applicable) and other information prior to departure.

Want to go? Introducing our first trip with The Traveling VolunteerWant to go? Introducing our first trip with The Traveling Volunteer

A day of shopping in Pigeon Forge A day of shopping in Pigeon Forge

with lunch at The Apple Barnwith lunch at The Apple Barn

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

8:30 a.m.8:30 a.m.——5 p.m.5 p.m.

Land of Sky Blood DriveLand of Sky Blood Drive

A big THANK YOU to eve-ryone who participated in this year’s Day of Caring for Land-of-Sky 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:

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!

Henderson County Opportunities Henderson County Heritage Museum needs volunteers in the gift shop and as museum docents. Morning and af-ternoon shifts available. AARP Tax Aide Program in need of volunteers to be trained in tax preparation. Call Joe Mullen at (828) 692-6069

OnOn--Going OpportunitiesGoing Opportunities

RRRR SVP offers short and onSVP offers short and onSVP offers short and onSVP offers short and on----going volunteer opportunities going volunteer opportunities going volunteer opportunities going volunteer opportunities

for volunteers 55+. There are opportu-for volunteers 55+. There are opportu-for volunteers 55+. There are opportu-for volunteers 55+. There are opportu-nities for even the busiest person. For nities for even the busiest person. For nities for even the busiest person. For nities for even the busiest person. For

Recipe for Volunteering Recipe for Volunteering by Naznin Dhananiby Naznin Dhanani

2 cups of listening2 cups of listening

1 teaspoon of trust1 teaspoon of trust

1 ½ cups of kindness1 ½ cups of kindness

1 teaspoon of honesty1 teaspoon of honesty

2 cups of happiness2 cups of happiness

1 cup responsibility1 cup responsibility

1 cup of patience & laughter1 cup of patience & laughter

1 tablespoon of communication1 tablespoon of communication

1 tablespoon of compromise1 tablespoon of compromise

1 dash of commitment1 dash of commitment

2 teaspoons of give and take2 teaspoons of give and take

2 dashes of forgiveness2 dashes of forgiveness

2 tablespoons of appreciation of each other2 tablespoons of appreciation of each other

¾ cup of tolerance ¾ cup of tolerance

Method: Method:

Combine listening, trust and kindness.Combine listening, trust and kindness. Mix well. Mix well. Add Add

communication, honesty and compromise.communication, honesty and compromise. Blend. Blend. Cream Cream

happiness, commitment and responsibility until light and happiness, commitment and responsibility until light and

fluffy. Sift together patience, give and take and laugh-fluffy. Sift together patience, give and take and laugh-

ter.ter. Fold together gently. Fold together gently. Add dashes of forgiveness, to Add dashes of forgiveness, to

taste. Top with appreciation and tolerance.taste. Top with appreciation and tolerance.

Results:Results:

“Remembering the essence of volunteering”.“Remembering the essence of volunteering”.

You will need to follow the instructions very carefully to You will need to follow the instructions very carefully to

end up with the results you want!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 profes-sionals (MDs, RNs, etc.) to help with clinic times, as well as volunteers to help with office work, medical fil-ing, 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 volun-teer drivers who can pick-up clients in the morning and take them home in the afternoons. Reliable transporta-tion 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 cross-ing 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.

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.

Short Term OpportunitiesShort Term Opportunities

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.

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, Novem-ber 14

th. 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.

RSVP New InitiativeRSVP New Initiative

Victim’s Assistance Program Victim’s Assistance Program

In 1999 an AARP survey found that older consumers are dispro-portionately vulnerable to telemarketing fraud. 56% of those iden-tified 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 sen-ior 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 Vic-tims Assistance Program utilizes the skills and availability of trained senior volunteers to assist the spe-cial 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 commu-nity 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

"Seniors can also try to find some projects that involve some social interactivity during the holi-days. 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 en-ergy 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 or-ganizations 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

Stress Continued from Page 1

Spotlight on...Spotlight on...

Foster Grandparents and Foster Grandparents and

Senior CompanionsSenior Companions Higher incomes and lower age requirements Higher incomes and lower age requirements

opens doors to more volunteersopens 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 bene-fits such as food stamps, Medicaid, rent subsidy or supplemental security income. Volunteers also re-ceive 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 of-fices—(828) 251-6622 ext. 131.

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 facili-ties assisting staff with activities and volunteers to serve in the home of homebound seniors providing as-sistance to individuals who may have trouble with daily living tasks or providing respite to family caregiv-ers. 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 reim-bursement. 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 Re-gional Council at (828) 251-6622 ext. 128.

Senior Companions Enrich the lives of Senior Adults

while keeping them independent

PRSRT-STD US Postage

PAID Asheville, NC

Permit no. 367

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

Return Service Requested

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

“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.

Station Events & GalasStation Events & Galas

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program

Enriching Lives, Meeting Community Needs